Cross River NUJ Appeals to Cross River Government to pay outstanding gratuities of retired civil servants

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council has appealed to Gov. Ben Ayade led administration to settle backlog of gratuities owed retired public servants in the State since 2014.

The Union stated this on Friday in Calabar in a communique signed by the Chairman, Mr Victor Udu and Secretary, Mr Oka Ibor after it’s April State Congress.

According to them the non-payment of gratuities to retirees for several years had led to the untimely death of many of them due to hardship.

“We appeal to the governor to consider payment of gratuities to retirees to mitigate the current hardship being faced by these heroes who had laboured for the state.

“We understand that many of them have died as a result of hardship without enjoying the fruit of their labour, while many others can no longer send their children to school, ” NUJ said.

The Congress also urged the administration to equip the state government owned media outfits, the Nigerian Chronicle, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) and the state Ministry of Information.

“This is to enable them compete in the digital media world and to cope with the modern communication world order, ” they said.

The Congress further commended the proactive measure taken by the government in tackling security challenge in the state through the setting up of “Operation Akpakwu”.

“We want to commend the governor for this security outfit, there is no doubt that this has solved the menace of kidnapping and other vices in the state, particularly in Calabar.

“We, therefore, urge other states to borrow a leaf from Ayade to tackle the state of insecurity in parts of the country, ” Congress said.

The NUJ lamented the rising insecurities in the country and called on the Federal Government to seek external assistance if need be, to address the abnormally.