Mariam Sanni
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ has reacted to the incessant protest by some discharged soldiers at the Federal ministry of Finance.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, DDMO Major General Markus Kangye in a press briefing in Abuja explained that the discharged soldiers were demanding that their gratuity should be calculated based on the new minimum wage .
It would be recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria implemented the new minimum wage for all Federal Government Workers in July 2024.
It is learnt that dozens of retired military personnel blocked the main gate of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja demanding unpaid entitlements.
The veterans refused to budge, insisting that their gratuities, debarment allowances, and other dues must be paid before any talks can begin.
He said that before the implementation of the minimum wage, there was a chart based on which gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) was calculated, then, the minimum wage chart.
He emphasized that calculation of Gratuity and SDA. Gratuity and SDA for military personnel is calculated based on salary chart on the effective date of retirement.
According to him, the Soldiers who retired between 1 January 2024 – 28 July 2024, before the implementation of the new minimum wage wanted their gratuity and SDA to be calculated based on the new minimum wage chart.
He added that this cannot be done because the policy of the new minimum wage came into effect on 29 July 2024.
“Incessant protest by some Discharged Soldiers at the Federal Ministry of Information. It would be recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria implemented the new minimum wage for all Federal Government Workers in July 2024. Before the implementation of the minimum wage, there was a chart based on which gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) was calculated, then, the minimum wage chart.
“The 2 charts are: Pre-Minimum Wage Chart – Effective 1 Jan – 28 July 2024, Minimum Wage Chart – Effective 29 July 2024 to date
“Calculation of Gratuity and SDA. Gratuity and SDA for military personnel is calculated based on salary chart on the effective date of retirement.
“Unfortunately, the Soldiers who retired between 1 January 2024 – 28 July 2024, before the implementation of the new minimum wage wanted their gratuity and SDA to be calculated based on the new minimum wage chart. This cannot be done because the policy of the new minimum wage came into effect on 29
July 2024.
“Thus, Soldiers who fall within the category of Pre-Minimum Wage Chart, are those who continually protest and construct barricades at the Federal Ministry of Finance, despite being educated on the 2 charts Defence Headquarters,” he said.
He reiterated that government policies have effective date of implementation and this case cannot be an exception.
He expressed worries that their action affecting the smooth conduct of activities at the Ministry of Finance.
He noted that the Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest.
He advised the Veterans to trade with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamless conducted.
