Some federal civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT)Abuja, have expressed anxiety as they await implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.

The civil servants, who made this known to QuestNews in an interview, were of different salary grade, prayed that August salary would reflect the new minimum wage to help cushion the effect of high cost of living.

A civil servant, who, gave his name as Mr Celestine Okonkwo, told QuestNews that although the minimum wage increment was not much, its implementation would help to meet some needs.

Okonkwo, who, said his current salary was not enough to cater to family needs, added that he could only cater to transportation, feeding and a few utility bills.

According to him, payment of rent and children’s school fees has been a challenge.

“I am a level seven officer in one of the government agencies and I have four children.

“Life has been very challenging because of the high cost of living.

“Before now, as a civil servant, the meagre salary I collect could cater to the payment of rent and children’s school fees because foodstuff was a lot cheaper.

“At the time, one could apply for loan to attend to major projects like land purchase.

“Unfortunately today, we access loan facilities to buy food and other daily needs, leaving major projects unattended to.

“I am hoping that my August salary will reflect the new minimum wage to give me some form of relief,” he said.

Another civil servant, who, gave her name as Mrs Deborah Odia, said she prayed that her August salary pay slip would reflect the new minimum wage.

She added that the high cost of items had made life difficult for her.

Odia, a level 10 officer, said she was hopeful that the consequential adjustment that would be made to her salary would help her offset her monthly bills.

“The price of everything in the market has skyrocketed and the amount of money that could cater to basic needs on a good day is no longer enough.

“I pray the minimum wage is paid with arrears as promised by the Federal Government so that I can offset some bills,” she said.

A level 14 officers, who gave her name as Madam Ejima, said she resorted to using staff bus instead of driving.

“I am a level 14 officer but I can barely meet my needs and that of my family.

“For over six months now I have not driven to work; I board staff bus.

“I only drive in my neighbourhood or to my place of worship, which is a short distance from my house to cut cost.

“I had to take the decision of boarding staff bus because I discovered I was spending the most part of my salary on fuel and it did not make sense,”she said.

President Tinubu in July, signed the N70,000 Minimum Wage Bill into law.

An implementation committee was thereafter set up to work with the relevant agencies for consequential adjustment and implementation.

Meanwhile, states like Edo and Adamawa have begun the implementation of the new minimum wage.