Cross River Council Workers Protest 11 Months of Unpaid Salaries
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
Newly employed local government workers across Cross River State’s 18 council areas staged a peaceful protest on Monday demanding 11 months of unpaid salaries, having received no compensation since their employment in April 2025.
The demonstrators gathered with placards, lamenting their exclusion from the official state payroll despite being duly hired. They called on Governor Bassey Otu to resolve the administrative delays that have left them in financial distress for nearly a year.
Protester Paul Agbor emphasized that the demonstration was a last resort to highlight their plight. He noted that despite the lack of pay, the staff have remained dedicated and continued reporting to their duties across the state.
Agbor stated, “We are out here to appeal to the government to look into the situation of newly recruited local government workers. We are not on the payroll, yet we have been going to work consistently.”
In a letter to the governor, the workers detailed severe hardships, including the inability to afford food and school fees. Many abandoned previous businesses or relocated to serve the state, only to face extreme poverty.
The workers clarified their stance in the letter, saying, “Our coming together today is not an act of confrontation but a humble cry for help. We respectfully appeal to you as a father and leader to kindly intervene.”
Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, addressed the crowd, acknowledging their right to protest. He assured them the administration is actively working to resolve the payroll hitches and recruitment issues.
Owan-Enoh explained the delay is due to a verification process meant to ensure only genuine employees are paid. He urged patience, promising a final meeting with the governor to settle the matter for allCross River Council Workers Protest 11 Months of Unpaid Salaries
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
Newly employed local government workers across Cross River State’s 18 council areas staged a peaceful protest on Monday demanding 11 months of unpaid salaries, having received no compensation since their employment in April 2025.
The demonstrators gathered with placards, lamenting their exclusion from the official state payroll despite being duly hired. They called on Governor Bassey Otu to resolve the administrative delays that have left them in financial distress for nearly a year.
Protester Paul Agbor emphasized that the demonstration was a last resort to highlight their plight. He noted that despite the lack of pay, the staff have remained dedicated and continued reporting to their duties across the state.
Agbor stated, “We are out here to appeal to the government to look into the situation of newly recruited local government workers. We are not on the payroll, yet we have been going to work consistently.”
In a letter to the governor, the workers detailed severe hardships, including the inability to afford food and school fees. Many abandoned previous businesses or relocated to serve the state, only to face extreme poverty.
The workers clarified their stance in the letter, saying, “Our coming together today is not an act of confrontation but a humble cry for help. We respectfully appeal to you as a father and leader to kindly intervene.”
Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, addressed the crowd, acknowledging their right to protest. He assured them the administration is actively working to resolve the payroll hitches and recruitment issues.
Owan-Enoh explained the delay is due to a verification process meant to ensure only genuine employees are paid. He urged patience, promising a final meeting with the governor to settle the matter for all legitimate staff. legitimate staff.
