I read your reasons for delisting the 2,000 Civil Servants from the payroll – they were valid. By choosing to reinstate them in light of that, you did noble. Very commendable. I owe you one bottle of Jacob’s tonic wine 🍾 for that … to be delivered/redeemed when next I’m in Calabar.
You should also address the 29 Magistrates that were sworn in since February last year but who were also sidelined and are yet to be paid. They were duly employed after a rigorous recruitment process that was advertised on national dailies. They were then posted to various Courts across the country. 29 were sent to Cross River State but due to some differences you (Ayade) had with the former Chief Judge of the State, they haven’t being paid a dime in over 19 months and are not being engaged.
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) Eteng Jones Williams, Deputy Speaker Joseph Bassey and the Leader Peter Odinga should please do all that they can to make sure this is also resolved amicably.
Your administration has had the worst relationship with the judiciary since the State’s creation. Kindly do all you can to make sure the relationship status changes from bad to at least good.
Regularisation of the employments of the 29 Magistrates currently wallowing in career limbo, is going to be a very good step in that direction. And that should be followed by the confirmation of a substantive Chief Judge in line with the directives of the NJC.
Happy new month to you and the family Sir.
Warm Regards.
Simon Utsu-Ingwu, a Cross Riverian writes in from Lagos via simonutsu@yahoo.com
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Simon Utsu and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.