• Govt,
labour trade words over pay order
The
internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Comprehensive Secondary School, Akwa
Ikot Eyo Edem in Akpabuyo Local Council has called on the Federal Government to
investigate the N38 billion that accrued to Cross River State following its loss of 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom in 2012.
investigate the N38 billion that accrued to Cross River State following its loss of 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom in 2012.
The inmates,
who made the appeal during a march yesterday, also demanded a probe of their
alleged diverted relief materials by state officials.With placards reading “We
did not disown our leader, Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa; Bakassi jobbers,
learn to celebrate your leaders; Director General of SEMA, we want our relief
materials; Atai Ema sons and daughters are without home; Bakassi boys love mama
Bakassi” among others, they asked the Federal Government and the United Nations
to channel future assistance to them through a new avenue.
In a chat
with newsmen, the Camp Leader in Chief, Etim Okon Ene, said: “Just one billion
is enough to take care of half of the problems of our people. But talking about
N38 billion, I think it is a political pronouncement. We have not felt the
impact of such money at all. That amount would have solved our plight. So far,
nothing has been done. I am not convinced. It is totally false otherwise the
Federal Government should rise up now and investigate. The EFCC and DSS should
find out where this money has gone to.”
Guardian reported that , Chairman of
the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Alhaji Aliyu
Mohammed, had during a courtesy call on Governor Ben Ayade in March, revealed
that N38 billion has so far been paid as palliatives to the state ever since.
Responding,
the governor was reported to have requested an assistance of N2 billion monthly
for projects and others, citing inadequacy of the allocations to the state.
Meanwhile,
the government and labour have traded words over the decision by the former to
implement a ‘no work, no pay’ rule for this month.
A statement
yesterday in Calabar by the Special Assistant on Media/Chief Press Secretary to
the Governor, Christian Ita, said: “Professor Ben Ayade has directed the
Commissioner for Finance, Head of Service and Accountant General to immediately
commence the process for the payment of June salary to state workers who have
been at work while the strike lasts.
“The
governor expects the salaries to be paid before the end of the week.” But the
state Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Clarkson Otu, asked workers to ignore
the threat. He noted: “It was not true that the government has met with the
terms of agreement. Because if they have implemented, we would not have gone on
strike in the first place. The strike is on and workers should stay at home.”
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