Appointed, Captured, and Reporting Daily Yet Not on Payroll
Hundreds of newly recruited Local Government Area (LGA) workers across Cross River State say they have reached a breaking point after working for months without receiving a single salary, nor being captured in the payroll, despite reporting for duty daily. They are now appealing directly to the Governor for inclusion on the state/LGA payroll.
These workers, posted across council secretariats in the state, were officially recruited, biometrically captured, issued appointment letters, and deployed to duty. Many resumed work as far back as June 2025. Yet, almost eight months later, they remain unpaid and not captured in the state or local government payroll.
Breaking their silence, the affected staff have directed a heartfelt appeal to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, asking for urgent intervention. Their ordeal followed the Governor’s November 2025 decision to suspend the LGA recruitment process to investigate reported irregularities. While the workers acknowledge and support the need to sanitize the system, they say the suspension has left them trapped in an administrative limbo.
The freezing of payroll inclusion remains firmly in place, even for those already captured and actively working. Behind the policy delay are painful human stories.
“I resigned from a private job because of this appointment,” one worker said quietly, requesting anonymity for fear of victimization. “Now, I borrow transport money every day just to report to duty. I don’t know how to explain this situation to my family anymore.”
Another staff member who resumed work in July 2025 said dedication alone cannot sustain life. “There is no day I skip work. We believe in this government, and we are serving faithfully. But belief does not pay school fees or put food on the table.”
The affected group is diverse. Some completed biometric capture at the Auditor-General’s office but were never placed on the payroll. Others received appointment letters shortly before a board dissolution and missed capture entirely. Also caught in the same web are newly recruited staff of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), some of whom have been without pay for over seven months.
Notably, the circular announcing the suspension of recruitment did not instruct them to stop working. Out of loyalty, duty, and hope, they continued to report daily, spending personal funds on transportation and basic work needs. For many, the financial and emotional toll has become overwhelming.
Their appeal to Governor Otu is clear and modest. They are not immediately demanding payment of accumulated arrears. Instead, they are asking for the payroll embargo to be lifted for workers who have already been captured and are actively on duty.
“We appeal to our father, the Governor, to look into our matter,” the workers said collectively. “Let the necessary instructions be given so that those of us already working can be added to the payroll. That is the lifeline we need right now.”
This is not just an administrative complaint; it is a plea for dignity from citizens who accepted government appointments, reported to duty in good faith, and have continued to serve despite months of hardship. Their hope now rests on timely action — before resilience turns into despair.
