- They said the situation has forced many of them into hardship, with some relying on loans or assistance from friends
- The workers also noted that several of them had left private jobs to take up government employment
- the demonstration was not meant to challenge the government but to seek help from the state leadership
Workers employed by the Cross River State Unified Local Government Service Commission staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office in Calabar on Monday, demanding the payment of salaries they say have been withheld for nine months.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the demonstrators gathered outside the office of Bassey Otu, carrying placards and chanting as they appealed for urgent government intervention.
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According to the workers, the prolonged delay in salary payments has caused severe financial strain, leaving many unable to meet basic needs such as paying school fees or providing food for their families.
In a letter presented to the governor during the protest, the employees explained that despite reporting to their assigned duties regularly since their recruitment, they had yet to be added to the government payroll.
They said the situation has forced many of them into hardship, with some relying on loans or assistance from friends and colleagues to survive.
The workers also noted that several of them had left private jobs to take up government employment, while others relocated from different areas after receiving postings.
Some employees in the health sector, they added, continue to serve communities despite struggling to afford transportation to work.
According to the protesters, the demonstration was not meant to challenge the government but to seek help from the state leadership.
They described the protest as a respectful appeal to the governor to intervene and ensure that affected staff members are officially placed on the payroll so they can begin receiving their salaries.
Responding to the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Enoh, acknowledged their concerns and assured them that the issue was already under review by the state government.
He revealed that several meetings had been held to address the matter and that another session involving the governor would take place later in the week after his return from official engagements in Abuja.
Enoh explained that part of the delay was linked to the need for proper verification of workers and the resolution of administrative challenges within the commission.
He said the government is working to ensure that only legitimately recruited employees are included in the payroll system.
The SSG urged the workers to remain patient, assuring them that the government would follow due process and that all verified employees would eventually receive their rightful placement on the payroll.
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