BY AHMED AKANBI
Civil servants, under Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), have defended N70,000 monthly transportation allowance deal with Federal Government, saying rejection by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will not stop implementation.
JNPSNC disclosed deal includes six-month transport allowance, 40 per cent peculiar allowance, settlement of 19 months health workers arrears and health sector salary adjustment.
The Council’s position was contained in a circular signed by its National Secretary, Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo, to affiliated unions and state councils nationwide.
It said the agreement was signed on October 27, 2026 after over six hours of negotiation involving the FG, NLC, JNPSNC, and JOHESU.
According to JNPSNC, N70,000 allowance will be paid monthly for six months from November 2026 to cushion rising transport costs.
It urged states and local governments to adopt agreement given increased revenue to sub-nationals.
”Seventy thousand naira transportation allowance will be paid for the next six months starting November 2026 to subsidize unbearable transportation costs,” the council said.
On 40 percent peculiar allowance, council said it should have started July 2024 alongside minimum wage, now to be extended to state and LG workers from November 2026 with arrears from May 1, 2026 paid in three instalments.
Federal Government also agreed to set up a tripartite committee comprising government, labour and NECA, one of the demands that prompted a three-day warning strike from October 2.
On the health sector, the council said negotiations addressed 13-year demand for CONHESS adjustment, with NSIWC given three weeks to submit a report to Presidential Committee on Salaries headed by the Finance Minister.
The agreement also provides payment of 19 months health workers allowance arrears in three instalments from December 2026, plus circular for hazard allowance for agric professionals within three weeks.
On tax relief, parties agreed to present matter to National Economic Council due to implications for federal, state governments and economy, and to reconvene within one month to review implementation.
JNPSNC said government assured the latest deal will not suffer the fate of previous unimplemented agreements, despite trust deficit.
On TUC rejection, the council said Congress was not part of negotiations but is free to negotiate a higher amount if it believes workers deserve more.
”It will be highly commended that TUC can get a higher amount above N70,000 already agreed, which will be an added benefit to public servants,” it said.
The Council rejected claim NLC represents only junior workers, saying affiliates have members across MDAs up to directorate level.
”Rejection of any items by any trade union is inconsequential to implementation because a wider spectrum of workers applauded the decision as the right step,” JNPSNC stated, noting the council established in 1948 remains a negotiating platform for wages and welfare.