Government finally pays civil servants after 4 months delay

Hundreds of government civil servants have been queuing at the Central Bank of Somalia in Mogadishu to receive their overdue salaries.

Deputy Finance Minister Hon. Mohamoud Hayir Ibrahim and the newly appointed Chief Accountant Ahmed Yusuf Mumin visited the bank to ensure the smooth running of the payment.

Speaking to members of the press, the deputy minister said the government is ensure salaries are paid off every month without any delay. He said that this exercise was now possible after the government signed a 5 year deal with the World Bank which would pay the salaries.

Government had earlier explained that the undue salaries for the civil servants and armed forces was as a  result of a shortfall in the national budget.

However the finance minister came under fire during a parliamentary committee after it emerged the government had already secured enough funds for the military and civil servants but diverted it to what parliament referred to as ‘lesser priorities.’ The MPs even demanded for the removal of the minister.

MP Dahir Amin Jessow who is also the deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on security Sunday told Goobjoog News that the unpaid salaries for the armed forces was the main reason for the security lapse in the country.

The newly appointed Chief Accountant Hon. Siraji  while speaking to the civil servants said, “I am very happy for your dedication and resilience for waiting such a long time for payment, and you were still able to carry out your duties. This is the kind of loyal citizens we want in this country.”

Some of the government employees who were at the bank to get their salaries expressed their joy after months of waiting.  ”I am extremely in debt so I have to pay every penny I received today from the bank to my creditors. Even so I am so happy to have got my money after waiting for such a long time,” said an employee.

Goobjoog News