For many young professionals in Cross River State, the call to serve under the administration of His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, was a dream come true. It represented a “People’s First” era—a chance to leave the uncertainty of the private sector for the stability of the civil service.
However, months after receiving their appointment letters and reporting for duty, that dream is fast becoming a nightmare. A significant number of newly recruited local government civil servants have gone over five months without a single kobo in salary, leaving many in a state of financial desperation.
The situation, reportedly tied to administrative bottlenecks within the Office of the Head of Civil Service Commission, has reached a breaking point. While the recent resignation of the former Head of Service was seen by some as a step toward restructuring, it has left the newly employed in a state of limbo.
Many of these servants are not just statistics; they are breadwinners who made significant life changes to serve the state:
Job Resignations: Scores of employees left stable private-sector roles, trusting the government’s promise of steady employment.
Relocation Costs: Several individuals moved their families from distant local governments or other states to their new duty posts.
The “Pay Slip” Irony: Disturbingly, some affected staff have received official pay slips for months they were never actually paid for, creating a confusing paper trail that suggests payment on record but leaves bank accounts empty.
The Human Cost of Administrative Delays
Reports reaching crossriverhub.com.ng paint a grim picture of the daily lives of these civil servants. While a small fraction of the new intake has been cleared and paid, the vast majority remain sidelined.
A Humble Plea to the “People’s First” Governor
Cross River Hub stands with these dedicated men and women. We acknowledge the Governor’s efforts to sanitize the system, but we humbly urge His Excellency to intervene personally.
The plea from the field is simple: Expedite the verification process and clear the backlog of arrears. These civil servants are not asking for a handout; they are asking for the wages they have earned through their labor and loyalty. To truly provide an “enabling environment” for development, the workers who form the engine of the state must be fed and motivated.
Governor Bassey Otu has shown himself to be a leader who listens. Today, the voices of the local government workers are rising in a collective appeal.
