Federal civil servants have appealed to authorities to fast track the payment of their salaries to enable them celebrate the Christmas.

Those who spoke to Channels Television in Abuja said the delay in the payment of their salaries had brought them untold hardship.

It is few hours to Christmas and while preparations for some Nigerians are in top gear, some civil servants are deprived because they have not been paid their December salary.

They said it would be marked like any other day.

Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, had blamed the delay on the breach of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System by some ministries and parastatals.

But for the civil servants, the non-payment of their salaries has not afforded them the opportunity to travel or prepare for Christmas.

They spoke on what they expected from the government before the year runs out, among which was demand for prompt payment of their salaries and other outstanding benefits.

During the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Finance told reporters that Ministries, Departments and Agencies which were yet to receive salaries were those that had exhausted their budget.

She, however, said that the virement submitted to the National Assembly by the presidency was expected to address the challenges faced by workers. (Channels TV)

•Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun.