C’River LG workers protest 11-month unpaid salaries

Dozens of newly employed local government workers in Nigeria's Cross River State staged a protest in Calabar, demanding their salaries after 11 months of unpaid work. Despite heavy rain, the demonstrators marched through the state capital, carrying placards with messages like 'We are suffering' and 'Payroll us.'

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The prolonged delay has really subjected many workers to severe hardship. Some of us are now struggling to feed our families. Some of us have died during the verification process initiated by the government.

Uchi Julius, speaking for the protesters, explained that many hired in 2025 had started working but received no pay for nearly a year. This prolonged delay has caused severe hardship, forcing some to struggle to feed their families and rely on loans. Julius also mentioned that some workers had died during a government verification process. "We didn't come here to beg for money; we came to ask for what we have worked for," he stated, adding that six colleagues had already died.

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We didn't come here to beg for money; we came to ask for what we have worked for.

Another protester, Happiness Augustine, shared her experience of working for a year without pay since her 2025 employment. She appealed to Governor Bassey Otu for mercy and timely payment, emphasizing their diligence. The workers urged the governor to intervene, regardless of administrative delays.

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We are hungry. We are dying. We have lost more than six colleagues. They can never return.

Responding to the protest, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, acknowledged the workers' concerns. He assured them that the government had established a panel of inquiry following a previous protest, which has submitted its report. A white paper recommending the next steps is also prepared, and the government is in the implementation phase. Enoh appealed for patience, promising that the matter would be resolved within two weeks, stating, "If you have waited for almost a year, two weeks is not too long. You will see what the government is going to do in your favour."

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I was employed in 2025. Up till now, I have not been paid. It is one year in my office and I have not received any salary. We are begging Governor Bassey Otu to have mercy on us and pay us because we have been diligent in our duties.