Emma Elekwa
Anambra State Government has announced that salaries of civil servants would henceforth be paid on a pro-rata basis, depending on attendance.
Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor who disclosed this to newsmen said the decision, reached during end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) would take effect in February 2026.
He said the Council had frowned at persistent absenteeism of public and civil servants on Mondays across the state, saying it has resolved to put an end to the “anomaly.”
According to him, the retreat reviewed the activities of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the past four years and outlined priorities for the new tenure scheduled to commence on March 17, 2026.
He said, “The retreat observed that for the past four years, many Anambra public and civil servants have consistently failed to report for work on Mondays, citing insecurity and lack of transportation as reasons for their absence.
“The retreat acknowledged that while these concerns may have existed in the past, they no longer apply, making continued absenteeism unjustifiable.
Work or no work, salary comes
Mefor further remarked, “Workers are simply enjoying the sit-at-home because they know that whether they come to work or not, salaries will still be paid.
“Ordinarily, this should be treated as a clear case of absenteeism, which under the civil service rules could attract sanctions, including dismissal.
“But the government has decided not to go that route. Instead, the government will begin paying salaries on a pro-rata basis.
“If you don’t want to lose your pay for Monday, then you must come to work.
“The mechanism is already in place. Attendance forms are being designed to enable workers to clock in on Monday mornings and clock out at the close of work.”
The Commissioner emphasized that the continued absence of civil servants on Mondays has had a significant negative impact on government productivity and the state’s economy.
“Any day civil servants fail to come to work, government business stagnates, and by implication, the state’s economy stagnates.
“Revenue that should accrue to the government is lost, and there is no assurance that such losses can be recovered,” he decried.
Substantial revenue lost
While citing the State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as examples, the Commissioner argued that when such offices are shut on Mondays, the state loses substantial revenue and critical projects are delayed.
Mefor explained that the pro-rata payment policy is aimed at ensuring fairness, efficiency, and sustainability in public spending.
“We cannot say we should abandon Mondays and adopt Saturdays as working days. That would mean Anambra State has surrendered to whoever imposed the sit-at-home.
“It would also make us the only state in Nigeria working on Saturdays, which would be absurd. Government cannot continue to urge markets and the informal sector to open on Mondays while its own workforce remains absent.
“It’s only reasonable to start with pro-rata payment as a way of compelling workers to resume on Mondays,” he said.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the government is currently engaging market leaders to encourage traders to reopen their shops on Mondays.
“Security is also being strengthened across the state to boost traders’ confidence and ensure they can conduct their legitimate businesses without fear,” he said.
On how the pro-rata salary system would be calculated, Mefor explained that monthly salaries will be divided by the 24 official working days in a month to determine the daily wage of each worker, which will then be applied accordingly.
“The decision had to be taken. Four years is enough. According to an international firm, the economic losses resulting from the sit-at-home run into trillions of naira.
“It is a firm decision of the government, and implementation has already commenced,” Mefor added.
