The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has warned ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) against operating unapproved salary structures and allowances.

A statement by the Head of Press and Protocol, Emmanuel Njoku, said the warning followed concerns over some agencies’ failure to cooperate with the commission.

The commission’s Chairman, Junaid Bindawa (retd), said this when he visited the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

According to him, the visit aims to strengthen collaboration between the commission and the office of the AGF to address challenges in public service salary administration.

Mr Bindawa said some agencies were not cooperating with the commission in ensuring proper implementation of approved salaries.

He said that some agencies had continued to operate unapproved salary structures and allowances despite the commission’s oversight responsibilities.

“In view of this, I propose stronger collaboration with your office to address such infractions, including drawing the OAGF’s attention to non-compliant agencies and seeking appropriate intervention or sanctions,” he said.

Responding, Mr Ogunjimi highlighted the role of his office as the treasurer of the federation, particularly in managing government receipts and withdrawals.

He said the OAGF had an overview of revenue generation across the public service and stressed the need to verify agencies’ claims of internally generated revenue (IGR).

He said such verification was important, particularly when agencies used IGR claims to support requests for salary reviews.

Mr Ogunjimi expressed appreciation for the peculiar allowance previously approved for staff of his office by the commission.

He appealed for a review of the allowance to align it with those applicable to staff of some government agencies in the financial sector.

The accountant-general assured the delegation of his office’s readiness to support the commission in identifying and addressing irregularities in public service salary administration.

He also welcomed the proposed collaboration and pledged professional assistance to the commission when required.

The partnership is expected to strengthen the commission’s efforts to address unauthorised salary practices and improve the verification of revenue claims during salary review requests.

It is also expected to promote a more data-driven and productivity-oriented approach to salary administration.

(NAN)