The minister of finance, budget and national planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said today that the October 31 deadline given to public servants to enroll in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is sacrosanct.
Addressing the media after the federal executive council meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja the minister said members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) must also join the IPPIS as every federal worker must enroll in the platform in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive
“I didn’t see the notice that ASUU is to go on strike if they are forced to be on the IPPIS. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has directed that every agency of government, every worker must be on the IPPIS. And my job is to comply with the president’s directive. That is what I do and we are going to do that,” she said.
However, she said there was still room for negotiation.
“We will be engaging ASUU; we will be discussing with them,” she added.
Thereafter, Ahmed said the federal executive council had approved N5.72 billion for construction and consultancy services for the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) offices.
The minister said N3.23 billion was approved for construction of NDIC Zonal office in Bauchi State and N2.49 billion approved for consultancy services for stage three work on NDIC corporate offices in Abuja and Lagos.
“The contract approval is in the sum of N3.239 billion including VAT. This project is to be completed in 96 weeks.
“The NDIC zonal office in Bauchi has been operating from rented office accommodation and the office accommodation has since become unconducive for a good working environment.
“The corporation would, therefore, be saving money but also in building the office accommodation when it is completed, it will provide a comfortable and clean environment for the staff; it will boost their morale as well as productivity.
“We have, of course, during these processes sought the due approvals from the BPP.
“The second memo that was presented to the council and was approved today is also in respect of NDIC.
“It is for the award of contract for 12 consultancy services for the development of NDIC corporate head office annex in Abuja, its office in Ikoyi, Lagos as well as a training centre in Lekki in Lagos.
“In 2015, the federal executive council had approved the construction of these three buildings. So, what we are asking for now is for stage three which is the construction phase of the work – the consultancy related to architecture, structural, mechanical and engineering.
“The total amount that is approved is the sum of N2.489 billion including VAT.
“This is for 12 consultancy firms for three different categories of professionals for the three office buildings,” she said.
