Senior Civil Servants Applaud FG over new DTA for Public Servants 

By Joseph Amah, Abuja 

The National President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr Tommy Okon has said that the new Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) approved for public servants in the country by the Federal Government was a welcome development.

Okon who spoke in an interview said civil servants have long expected the new DTA “and we are happy that it has come at last.”

He said although the increase is not much considering the economic realities on ground, “this new rate will go a long way to reducing the challenges civil servants face whenever they go on official assignment outside their stations,” he said.

Also speaking,  another civil servant who wouldn’t want to be mentioned because he is not permitted to speak with the media, also said the government has shown that it cares about the welfare of workers.

According to him,  “Considering the security situation in the country, it would be risky for civil servants on duty outside their stations to be looking for cheap accommodation in areas where the security is not guaranteed just because they cannot afford a better one.”

Announcing the new DTA in Abuja, Chairman of National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, said it takes effect from Feb. 1, 2022.

He said the review was informed by the desire of the federal government to provide a better welfare package for its employees. He noted that the last time DTA was reviewed was in 2008.

According to him, “With the reviewed DTA, Grade Level (GL) 01 to 04 and its equivalent now receive N10, 000 Per Diem, while GL 05 to 06 receive N15, 000 as GL 07 to 10 receive N17, 500.

“Also, GL 12 to 13 receive N20, 000, GL 14 to 15 receive 25, 000 and GL 16 to 17 receive 37, 500 Per Diem.” 

The chairman recalled that the DTA for GL 06 and below used to be N5, 000, while GL 07 to 14 was N12, 000 and GL 15 to 17 was N16, 000 Per Diem.