Civil Defence
Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara State have voiced their frustrations regarding inadequate welfare conditions.
According to a report by DAILY POST, the officers indicated that these issues have negatively impacted their morale and overall productivity. They expressed concerns over the accumulation of promotion arrears spanning from 2020 to 2023, with officers promoted in 2023 still not added to the payroll.
Several officers, who chose to remain anonymous, outlined additional grievances, including the non-implementation of specific allowances that have been standard in other agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) since 2022. They also pointed out that the “Consequential Salary Adjustment” has yet to be implemented, with no updates on when it might be addressed.
Furthermore, the new minimum wage has not been enacted, and officers are hesitant to raise questions about these issues due to fears of job loss or punitive transfers. They noted that while senior officers receive minimal compensation during elections compared to their peers in other security organizations, they are also required to fund their own training programs instead of being compensated for training allowances, particularly for armed training.
The officers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of provisions for uniforms and other necessary equipment, stating that they purchase these items from local markets without any reimbursement.
Additionally, they highlighted the absence of transportation allowances, accommodation, or Daily Training Allowance (DTA) when summoned to the National Headquarters or other official assignments. They mentioned the mass transfers of officers in 2022 to various states occurred without any inconvenience allowances, further complicating the situation.
Concerns were also raised about the treatment of senior officers (Deputy Commandants and Assistant Commandants), who reportedly lack designated portfolios from headquarters and are subject to the discretion of state commandants, who may not treat them equitably.
Moreover, the officers lamented issues with the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS), claiming limited access to their salary platforms for almost a year, hindering their ability to monitor their salary details.
They noted that their palliative allowance was granted for only three months, while other agencies continued to receive support without inquiry.
According to them, the lack of functional patrol vehicles in many state commands has severely affected their operational effectiveness, contributing to the ongoing challenges they face.
