The Rivers State Government has condemned the protest embarked upon by a group of persons who claimed that they were owed salaries for eight months.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, expressed dismay over the protest by the group at the Government House, who claimed to be members of staff of the state Ministry of Sports.
Semenitari dismissed the claim and insisted while the state government was preparing to pay April salaries; civil servants in the state had been receiving salaries up to March 2015.
“It is for this reason that government wishes to condemn unequivocally the needless violent protest today in Port Harcourt as we have consistently shown good faith in our dealings with all categories of persons.
“While we appreciate the challenges many persons face in our country today, we dare say that it is curious that this protest is coming on the heels of spurious and mischievous allegations by some persons that the Rivers State Government is indebted to its workers,” she added.
Semenitari said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday that the state government had continued to pay workers’ salaries because it believed that workers’ welfare was paramount in governance.
“It has come to the notice of the Rivers State Government that some persons claiming to be staff of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports have been protesting an alleged eight-month non-salary payment.
“While the government of Rivers State will not wish to join issues with the demonstrators, it wishes to note that all civil servants employed by the government of Rivers State have been paid salaries up to the month of March, with plans to commence payment of April salaries.
“The Rivers State Government has continued to ensure the payment of staff salaries because it believes that the welfare of its workers must be paramount in governance.
“In the same vein, it will not treat with levity matters concerning other staff in its employ, who while they may not be civil servants, are ad hoc staff deserving of fair treatment,” she said.
Semenitari, however, expressed government’s commitment to its workers and promised to continue to meet its obligations to those in its employ.
“Government, however, must verify all claims by persons who may be so employed to enable it compute what salaries and wages are due these category of persons and address the matter as may be most appropriate,” she added.
