Cross River LG Workers Protest 11 Months of Unpaid Salaries

Newly recruited local government workers in Cross River State staged a peaceful protest in Calabar over 11 months of unpaid salaries, calling on Governor Bassey Otu to approve their inclusion on the state payroll.

The workers, drawn from several local government areas, marched through major streets of the state capital despite heavy rainfall, carrying placards with messages such as "Payroll Us," "We Are Suffering," and "We Need Our Salaries."

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Uchi Julius said many workers employed in 2025 had resumed duty but had not received any salary for nearly a year.

He said the prolonged delay had pushed many workers into severe financial hardship, with some struggling to feed their families. Julius also claimed that several workers died during the government's verification process.

According to him, many employees now depend on loans from relatives and friends to survive.

He noted that although the government had promised massive employment, many of the newly recruited workers, including health personnel, were yet to be paid despite carrying out their responsibilities.

Another protester, Happiness Augustine, said she had worked for almost a year without receiving any salary. She appealed to Governor Otu to intervene and ensure that affected workers were paid regardless of any administrative delays.

Responding to the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, acknowledged their concerns and assured them that the government was finalising the process to resolve the issue.

He explained that after an earlier protest, the government set up a panel of inquiry, which had submitted its report, while a white paper outlining the next steps had also been prepared.

Enoh urged the workers to remain patient, assuring them that the government would act soon.

"I assure you that within two weeks, all of you will smile. If you have waited for almost a year, another two weeks is not too long. You will see what the government is going to do in your favour," he said.

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