The Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday evening denied reports (not by News Express) that it had promised to pay the N1.2 Billion Special Overtime Allowance being demanded by the workers.

A spokesman for the ministry, commenting on the protests by its workers’ unions and the meeting held with staff by Mrs. Adeosun on Wednesday, described the reports as “inaccurate”.

He said: “The minister, who had at Wednesday’s meeting listened to the workers’ requests, confirmed that contractual obligations are being met by Government and promised that all genuine complaints and administrative issues will be promptly reviewed.

“However, the N1.2 Billion Special Overtime (SOT) payment being demanded by workers, which had been discontinued since 2014, is neither in the 2016 Budget of the Federal Ministry of Finance nor the Federal Inland Revenue Service from where the funds to cover the allowance had hitherto been sourced. The payment of SOT was stopped by the previous administration on the grounds that it was not listed in any extant government Circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules.

“She therefore urged the workers to be patient and understand the current challenges facing the Nigerian economy. The minister was at pains to point out that many people across the country were struggling to find work and that the priority for the government had to be getting the whole economy back on its feet.”

•Photo shows Kemi Adeosun.