Calabar South LGA mourns late chairman, Cross River government pays protesting street sweepers one month from backlog
The Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Council, Hon. Ndabo Robert Hogan has mourned the passing of the former chairman, late Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Esther Bassey, describing her as a “Leadership Treasure”.
In addition, a statement by Hogan released on Wednesday April 26 through the Chief Press Secretary of the council, Mrs. Nkese Eneyo describe the deceased as a woman who was passionate about the development and upliftment of Calabar South Local Government Area.
According to Hogan, Chief (Mrs.) Esther Bassey made a lasting imprint on grass-roots and Local Government Administration in the state and Nigeria.
He said the amiable Administrator will be remembered for her charm and drive as well as her commitment to the Local Government premised on her philosophy of treating everybody equally without resort to sentiments.
And fielding question from a LENS Reporter at the opening of mourning house for the diseased, Hogan said he was pained by her passing and promised to continue and complete the lofty projects she started to immortalize her name.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government has bowed to pressure by paying one month out of the four months salary arrears to roadside sweepers in Calabar which protested on Wednesday and barricaded the Governor’s office in Calabar.
They were told to collect the one month salary of ten thousand naira, get back to work and remain peaceful as the outstanding three months arrears will be paid before the May 29 handover date of Ayade administration.
Their supervisor, Eno Edem warned them to sweep and keep the city of Calabar clean to help convince the governor to release the remaining balance. The women were skeptical about the one month payment though agreed to resume work but said they will not be tricked anymore and will not hesitate to stage another peaceful demonstration if dribbled again.
But government official Eno Idem who is the supervisor and made the cash payments refused to speak to journalists saying nobody invited them to witness or report the development.
Some of the street sweepers expressed gratitude to journalists for the reportage of their protest to the Governor’s office on Tuesday April 25 which robed off on the release of the one month pay owed by the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) their employer.
By Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
