Protesting Workers Blocks Nasarawa Deputy Governor’s Convoy Over Unpaid Salaries

Aggrieved workers blocked the convoy of Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, on Friday while protesting over the non-payment of their two months’ salaries.

It was gathered that the civil servants were also protesting the alleged disappearance of N20 million deducted from their salaries by the Federal Mortgage Housing Scheme.

The deputy governor, alongside the embattled Council Chairman, Mr. Rabo Sani, had met with the workers to plead with them to remain calm.

Akabe told the workers that the state government is doing everything possible to address their predicament but the protesting workers reportedly ignored their plea as they barricaded the road.

It was learnt that the blockage of the road began on Monday this week as they conducted “a special prayer” in the middle of the road.

The Council Chairman blamed his predecessors for the inability of the council to pay the workers, saying illegal employment of civil servants worsened the situation.

He, however, stated that the rationale behind the protest was due to the shortage of funds to pay workers’ salaries, noting that it is a statewide problem.

On the missing Federal Mortgage Housing fund, he debunked the rumor, adding that the Local Government borrowed the money to pay worker’s salaries.

“The money of Federal Mortgage Housing fund is not missing rather we borrowed the money to pay staff salaries, saying that all the Union leaders were aware of the transaction,” he said.

He said the 13 Local Government Councils of the state needed a sum of N2.1 billion to settle two months’ staff salaries.

KanyiDaily had reported how an appointee of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Freeman Godwin threatened to kill himself over unpaid salaries since his appointment as an aide.