By Jeremiah Archibong
Local government legislators from the 18 Local Government Areas of the State have called on the Cross River State government to halt the deductions in their salaries in order to improve on their financial status.
This was part of the resolutions reached at a meeting of the councilors on Tuesday in Calabar where they also sought the renegotiation of sums available for capital projects, legislative training and the non payment of legislative votes.
The legislators also called on Chairmen of councils to be presenting their quarterly income and expenditure to their legislatures in fulfillment of the Cross River State Local Government Law of 2007.
Furthermore, they expressed frustration on their financial situation due to loans they obtained to contest elections and pleaded for an audience with the Governor even as they hoped that they will be paid their owed furniture and wardrobe allowances.
Read the full communique below…
A Communique Reached At The End Of Cross River State Councilors Forum Held In Calabar On 10th August, 2021.
“Councilors across the 18 Local Government Area’s of Cross River State convened in Calabar the Cross River State Capital on the 10th August, 2021 to discuss their welfare and evaluate the journey of their Legislative service to their constituents. The meeting was well attended by the Councilors across the 18 Local Governments of Cross River Sate, and after intensive deliberation on the floor of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached by the Honorable Councilors.
Resolutions
“The Cross River State Councilors declare total support for His Excellency the Digital Governor of Cross River State Senator Professor Ben Ayade.
“The Councilors frowned at the poor welfare package for over one year in office e.g the Cross River State Councilors have been paid only 4 months of Legislative votes out of the 14 months they have spent in office, lack of wardrobe/furniture allowance by the state Government.
“The forum resolved that the Chairmen of Local Government Councils be presenting quarterly income and expenditure to their legislatures in fulfillment of the Local Government Law 2007.
“The forum expressed frustration on the money the Cross River State Councilors borrowed from Ekondo Microfinance Bank to fund their election and the zero monthly salary situation they are been faced with due to the loans and the car deductions by the Government of Cross River State.
“The forum appeal to the Digital Governor to direct the Local Government Chairmen to organize a Legislative training workshop for the 196 Councilors of Cross River State in other to enhance legislative advocacy and productivity.
“The Forum also appeal that His Excellency (H.E) kindly direct the ministry of Local Government Affairs to stop the further deduction of the monthly car and loan deductions in other to enhance the financial status of the Councilors as earlier promise by the Governor.
“The forum appeal to H.E to direct the Local Government Council Chairmen, to include the Councilors in the capital project money released by the Government, and further pray that at least a borehole or culvert be awarded to councilors to be able to give them a face lift in their wards as earlier promised by the Governor.
“The 196 councilors totally reject the proposal the Local Government Council Chairmen made for the Councilors on the Capital project money and expect a renegotiation on the subject matter to be able to come to terms with the directives of the Governor.
Conclusion
“The forum will continue to support the government of H.E Senator Professor Ben Ayade, Executive Governor of Cross River State. The Forum humbly and most respectfully appeal to His Excellency to grand the Forum another opportunity for and interface with him in other to brief him of the latest political development in their respective Wards.”