By Asuquo Cletus
Frustrated by nine months of unpaid salaries, staff of the Cross River State Unified Local Government Service Commission staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office in Calabar on Monday, appealing to Governor Bassey Otu for urgent intervention.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the workers described the prolonged delay as “a source of severe hardship,” with many struggling to pay school fees or provide basic necessities for their families.
In a letter submitted to the Governor during the protest, the employees detailed their plight, stating:
“For over nine months now, many of us who were employed through the Local Government Service Commission have been reporting to our duty posts faithfully without being placed on the payroll. Despite our commitment to serve the state diligently, we have not received salaries to sustain ourselves and our families.
“Among us are parents whose children have been unable to return to school. Feeding our families and fulfilling basic responsibilities have become extremely difficult. Some of our colleagues left small private jobs they were managing in order to take up this opportunity to serve our beloved state. Others were posted to new environments and had to relocate from far and near just to resume duty.
“Particularly in the health sector, some of our members work tirelessly—day and night—serving communities with dedication, even while struggling to afford transportation to work. Sadly, many now survive by borrowing or depending on the kindness of others around their workplaces.
“Our coming together today is not an act of confrontation but a humble cry for help from loyal citizens who believe in your leadership. We respectfully appeal to you as a father and leader to kindly intervene so that we can be placed on the payroll and begin to receive our salaries.
“We remain committed to serving Cross River State with loyalty, diligence, and gratitude.”
Efforts to reach the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
