October 13, (THEWILL) – Organised labour in Cross River state, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) and the State Joint Public Negotiations Council have accused the Cross River state government of paying salaries through consultants.
The accusation is in reaction to a government directive to workers to return to work to facilitate payment of salaries.
The directive, signed by the Head of Service, Geraldine Akpet-Ekanem, said this “is to enable the relevant officers facilitate completion of payment of salaries of civil servants who are yet to be paid.
“All civil servants are please directed to adhere strictly to this directive as failure to comply will attract severe sanctions.”
However in Bulletin Number 3 made available by the Action committee, labour urged workers to ignore the directive and stay at home.
They also accused the head of service of misleading the governor.
The bulletin read ” The Head of Service Mrs. Geraldine Akpet is misleading the governor.
“Instead of her to advise the governor to listen to the plight of workers, she is threatening and trying to intimidate workers.
“Comrades, ignore the HoS Press Release.
“Salaries are paid by consultants (sadly so) not office of the Accountant General. This is part of our anger.
“Continue to stay at home! Don’t be intimidated.”
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
