Cross River local government workers protest unpaid salaries

Newly employed local government workers in Cross River State protested in Calabar on Wednesday. They want their 11 months of unpaid salaries and to be included on the state payroll. They have worked for nearly a year without pay.

Despite heavy rain, the protesters came from different local government areas. They marched through major streets to the Governor’s Office, holding placards with messages like, “We are suffering,” “Payroll us,” and “We need our salaries,” according to Punch newspaper.

Workers share their struggles

Uchi Julius spoke for the protesters. He said many workers, hired in 2025, are still waiting for their salaries even though they have been working for almost a year.
“The long delay has really put many workers in serious hardship. Some of us are now struggling to feed our families. Some of us have died during the verification process set up by the government,” Mr Julius said.

He mentioned that many affected workers now rely on loans from family and friends.
“One of the campaign promises was massive employment. Today, the 2,000 health workers said to have been employed are here, yet many of us have not been paid. We didn’t come here to beg for money; we came to ask for what we have worked for.

“We are hungry. We are dying. We have lost more than six colleagues. They can never return,” he said.

‘We have families to care for’

Another protester, Happiness Augustine, said she has not been paid since her hiring in 2025, even though she has been reporting to work.
“I was employed in 2025. Up till now, I have not been paid. It is one year in my office and I have not received any salary. We are begging Governor Bassey Otu to have mercy on us and pay us because we have been diligent in our duties,” she said.

Ms Augustine pleaded with the governor to help, despite any “administrative challenges” causing the delay in payroll.
“We are on our knees begging him to pay us. We have families to take care of, and we have continued working without salaries,” she added.

She also claimed that one of their colleagues died in a road accident while going for a government screening after an earlier protest.

Government asks for patience

The Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Enoh, spoke to the protesters. He recognized their issues and said the government is close to solving the problem.
After their last protest, the state government set up a panel of inquiry, which has completed its report. A white paper suggesting the next steps has also been prepared.

“When you came here last time, I reported your concerns to the governor and a panel of inquiry was set up. That panel has submitted its report, and we are now at the implementation stage,” Mr Enoh said.

He asked the workers to be patient, promising that the government will act soon.
“I assure you that within two weeks, all of you will smile. If you have waited for almost a year, two weeks is not too long. Before you come back here again, you will see what the government is going to do in your favour,” Mr Enoh said.