Cross River Is Not Owing Salaries, Pensions; We'll Prosecute Those Spreading Falsehood - Govt

Mr. Timothy Ogbang Akwaji, Cross River State Head of Service

The Cross River State Government has disclosed that the State is neither owing salaries nor pensions, despite the meagre funds at its disposal.

The state government however vowed to prosecute those peddling rumours that it is owing salaries and pensions.

This was contained in a statement on Monday, signed by the Head of  Service, Mr. Timothy Ogbang Akwaji, and obtained by GRASSROOT REPORTERS.

It read:

"The attention of the Cross River State Government has been drawn to malicious propaganda in the media space over alleged non-payment of salaries and pension allowances in the State.

"This story is vicious, untrue and concocted to dent the good reputation of the Sen. Prof Ben Ayade led administration, which has kept a clean bills since 2015.

"It is unarguable that even in the face of challenging revenue inflows, coupled with suffocating debt over-hang, the Ayade Government has consistently and religiously placed premium on payment of salaries and pension to the admiration of all. Little wonder the State is not in arrears of salaries and pensions."

The statement added that, "any person or group of persons who have genuine claims of being owed salaries and pensions, should forward same to the Head of Service for investigation and further necessary action.

"The State Government shall not hesitate to sanction or prosecute those orchestrating this malicious and cheap propaganda aimed at causing disaffection in the State.

"As a Government, we shall remain focused in our determination towards addressing concerns of our workers and senior citizens." The statement read.