By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Teachers in Obudu local government area of northern Cross River State, Tuesday took to the streets to protest against the irregular payment of salaries and other arrears owed them by the Cross River State government.
The governor, Senator Ben Ayade who hails from Obudu had earlier this week directed the immediate promotion and payment of salary arrears owed civil servants in the state and local government under the unified local government salary scheme overseen by the Ministry of Local Government Affairs and the Local Government Service Commission.
The Teachers CrossRiverWatch gathered refused to teach pupils who had turned up as they are owed between two to four months of salaries.
“After the screening, some of us were paid half salaries and the rest of us are yet to receive a dime” says Godwin Adah (not actual name), a primary school teacher in the Obudu urban area.
As at press time, it was unclear whether the Secondary School teachers joined in the demonstration as they are currently under the State Universal Basic Education Board as reported by CrossRiverWatch.
Furthermore, findings revealed that local government officials have been grumbling with a committee set up to look into this wiring the monies of those who come to complain via a machine that looks similar to a ‘Point-of-sale’ machine.
Also, our correspondent gathered that the council treasurers of the 18 local government areas in the state have several times met relevant authorities to clear issues concerning who has been paid or who is yet to receive his pay, a move that has consistently broke down according to sources as those behind the situation have blocked access to information.
As at press time, the state government were yet to release a statement as well as the Nigeria Union of Teachers.