By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
Following the protest witnessed in the office of the Secretary to the State Government 24 hours ago, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Hon. Peter Odey has voiced out.
Deputy Governor Peter in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Fred Abua said over 80% of January salaries for workers in the state have been paid.
He said the delay in payment for some workers is regrettable but is informed by the painstaking effort to weed out duplicate entries following the reconciliation of cleared names from the relevant pay-rolling offices with the nominal roll.
While acknowledging the hard times, the 2nd citizen in the State appeals to the workers to see the exercise as the birth pangs of a glorious future if the State must be the transparent and accountable system it so desires.
The statement reads “The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Peter Odey wishes to clarify that over 80% of January salaries for workers in the state have already been paid.
“The seeming delay for some employees in the State Civil Service and Local Government, though regrettable, is informed by the painstaking effort to weed out duplicate entries following the reconciliation of cleared names from the relevant pay-rolling offices with the nominal roll.
“It will be recalled that the state government had embarked on staff audit and verification for all MDAs and employees in the local government system owing to the enormous wage bill despite a large number of retirements from the service.
“The state government has made significant progress in that regard and will in no distant time make its findings public.
“In the interim, the government appeals to the labor force to see this exercise as the birth pangs of a glorious future if we must have a State that we all desire.
“The Senator Bassey Otu-led administration remains committed to its People First Agenda and this can only be realized when all segments of the State make sacrifices and support the drive for a transparent and accountable system.
“The State Government notes the difficult times and assures that all those whose salaries have been delayed genuinely will be paid in no distant time.”