Cross River Law Officers Issue Government 15 Days Ultimatum

By CrossRiverWatch Admin

The failure of the Cross River state government to extend the approval of a new remuneration to the state law officers having done same for the magistracy since May 2015, is generating ripples that may lead to an industrial action.

In a notice of strike action dated November 1, 2016 to the state Head of Service which was also copied to the state governor, the law officers say several months after the governor approved the implementation of the new payment for them, it has become apparent that the government is not prepared to give effect to the approval.

Below is the full text of the notice to the Head of Service:

NOTICE OF STRIKE ACTION FOLLOWING THE C.R.S GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE HARMONIZATION POLICY IN FAVOUR OF LAW OFFICERS

Our several correspondences on the above subject refers. It has become apparent that the present government of the state is not willing, prepared and or concerned about giving effect to the harmonization policy in favour of law officers against the background of the May, 2015 approval of a new remuneration package for the magistracy without extending it to the law officers.

This has been the applicable policy in the service and you aptly captured the position in your correspondence while as our Solicitor-General & Permanent Secretary to His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, dated 10th July, 2015 with Ref. No. MOJ/SGPS/6/VOL.V/760 at paragraph 3 where you stated thus “It has always been the policy to keep both services at par whenever there exist any change in either of the services to obviate the discontent that may result from any observed disparity”. Underline is ours for emphasis.

His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade further approved the immediate implementation of the policy when he recently commissioned the Ministry of Justice Ultra Modern Library.

Sequel to the above we have the mandate of all the law officers in the service of the state to give you the following notice;

*That within fifteen (15) days from the date of the receipt of this notice the state government should pay in full the arrears of the new remuneration package due law officers as currently being enjoyed by the magistrates of the same call year effective from July, 2015, and thereafter continue with the policy.

*That in the event of the state government failing to meet our legitimate demand and entitlement which we have endured for over a year now we will have no alternative than to embark on an industrial action.

Yours faithfully,

Amajama, Eneji Moses Nkwo
Chairman Secretary

Cc;
His Excellency, The Governor of Cross River State
The Hon. Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, CRS
The SSG, Governor’s Office, Calabar
The S.A Administration, Governor’s Office, Calabar
The Accountant-General, Governor’s Office, Calabar
The Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Calabar