Ruling on private work in government facilities and taking a wage for it

This is a letter from Ibrahim Mahmoud al-Ta'ib from Sudan. He says: I work as a blacksmith in a government department. Sometimes some of the brothers who work with me ask me to make a chair or a bed for them, and they get approval from the official for this. However, they give me a sum of money if I repair it for them. Is that permissible for me?
Answer: If it is in a government department, then it is not permissible for you, nor for the official. As for if it is at another time after the end of the workday... in his home, and you repair something for him in his home, then there is no harm in dealing with him for a wage; he gives you what is easy for him.
As for agreeing to take the chair or the bed to the government office and using government money, this is not permissible, and this is a form of betrayal. Unless the state has permitted this for the official. You should be scrupulous about this and be cautious, because officials may be lenient with this. Some officials may be lenient. So what we advise you is to be cautious. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.