Cross River workers lament unpaid January salaries

Some civil servants in Cross River State have raised concerns over the non-payment of their January salaries, alleging selective disbursement across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The affected workers, who spoke in separate interviews with journalists in Calabar on Thursday, said the delay had worsened economic hardship, leaving many unable to meet basic financial obligations.

Mr. Thomas Adie, a director in one of the state ministries, claimed that as of February 12, more than 70 per cent of workers — including local government employees — were yet to receive their January salaries.

According to him, while some political appointees and selected staff had been paid, workers in key ministries such as Health, Agriculture and Education remained unpaid.

He said the development had made it difficult for many to pay school fees and provide for their families.

Adie also questioned the directive requiring ministries to submit updated nominal rolls after partial salary payments had already been made.

“This development is unprecedented, and I believe it is due to inefficiency in salary administration at the Office of the Accountant-General,” he alleged.

Another civil servant, Mrs. Grace Offiong, described the situation as frustrating, noting that workers had not received salaries since December 12, 2025.

She criticised what she termed misplaced priorities, alleging that while workers were being owed, billboards advertising a Valentine event by the governor were displayed across Calabar.

Offiong further noted that, unlike some states that paid a 13th-month salary in December 2025, Cross River workers did not receive such benefits and are now owed January wages.

Government Reacts

Responding to the allegations, the Cross River State Accountant-General, Dr. Glory Effiong, acknowledged that some workers were yet to receive their salaries but attributed the delay to the failure of certain permanent secretaries to submit updated nominal rolls.

Effiong stated that over 14,000 of the state’s estimated 15,000 workers had already been paid, stressing that salary payments are processed upon receipt of verified nominal rolls.

She explained that the verification exercise was introduced to address absenteeism and ensure that only workers who report for duty receive salaries.

“Some Ministries, Departments and Agencies are still submitting nominal rolls as at the time of filing this report, so it is not my fault,” she said.

Labour Weighs In

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River State, Mr. Gregory Olayi, confirmed receiving complaints from affected workers.

Olayi said organised labour was engaging the state government to resolve the issue, disputing claims that the delay was solely due to non-submission of nominal rolls.

He noted that primary school teachers and local government workers were among those affected, with some council employees yet to receive outstanding salaries.

The NLC chairman disclosed that the state government had been given a four-week ultimatum to address the concerns, warning that labour would take further action if the matter remains unresolved.

“We disagree with the Accountant-General because we have ministries that have submitted their nominal rolls, and some of their staff have been paid, while others on the same nominal roll are yet to be paid,” he said.

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