By Francis Ekeh, Abuja

Federal civil servants are in jubilation mood following news of the upward review of Duty Tour Allowance ( DTA) of all categories of civil servants by president Muhammadu Buhari

The approval comes at a time university lecturers are on strike over unpaid salaries and allowances.

The beneficiaries include ministers, permanent secretaries and federal civil servants on level one to 17.

The approval was conveyed in a circular dated August 31 by chairman of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta.

According to the circular, copy of which is published below, the new allowances take effect from September 1.

“The president of the federal republic of Nigeria has approved the upward review of duty tour allowances applicable to Permanent Secretary/Equivalent from N20,0000 to N70,000, and to minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent from N35,000 to N80,000,” the chairman said.

“All enquiries relating to this circular should be directed to the commission.”

Below is the details of the new DTA approved by Buhari for public servants;
GL 01 — 04 and its equivalent – N10,000 per diem
GL. 0S — 06 and its equivalent – N15,000 per diem

GL. 07-10 and its equivalent – N17,500 per diem

GL. 12 – 13 and its equivalent – N20,000 per diem
GL. 14-15 and its equivalent – N25,000 per diem
GL. 16 — 17 and its equivalent – N37,500 per diem
Permanent Secretary/Equivalent – N70,000 per diem
Minister/SGF/HCSF/Equivalent – N80,000 per diem

While cross section of civil servants interviewed expressed joy over the development, economists are however worried that it came at a time the economy is facing tough times which has seen government revenue plummet with deficit running into trillions of Naira

For instance federal government’s 2022 budget has a deficit of over N7 trillion, and debt servicing has surpassed revenue this year.