No fewer than 1,700 civil servants in Cross River have taken to the street to protest the non-payment of their five years’ salaries.

The protesters, who converged on the state’s secretariat as early as 7:30 a.m., blocked the entrance to the secretariat.

The protesters’ spokesman, Raphael Antigha, said they had not received any salaries since their employment between 2017 and 2018. He said the highest monthly pay was N47,000.

“The government has made us undergo two screening and verification to resolve the issue, yet the issue remains the same. Each time the government complains of no money, and yet, he gives out hundreds of political appointments each week. Where is he getting the money to pay them?”

Responding on behalf of Governor Ben Ayade’s government, the head of service, Ogbang Akwaji, said Cross River did not owe any worker salary.

“Cross River government is one state that has placed a great premium on the welfare of its workforce, in spite of the challenging revenue inflows. At the moment, July salaries have been paid to workers by the state government. There are no workers in the state who are being owed five years’ salaries,” he said.

The protesters chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with various inscriptions, “where is the fold on the table you promised? Hunger is everywhere; we are humans and not animals.”

“Governor Ayade, pay us our salaries. We were duly employed. Five years is not five days.”

(NAN)