The claims by the Rivers State Government that it is not owing her workers is about to be tasted in the public burner as teachers in the State Ministry of Education are very much ready to carry placards over the non-payment of salaries for about 7-months running.
Some members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers who visited The Newswriter office to register their grievances led by Comrade Newton Gladday slammed the state government for starving their members even after concluded the biometric exercise which the salaries were tied to, saying that it is 7months since February and teachers in the state are dying of hunger.
Comrade Newton Gladday wondered why the state government under Barr. Nyesom Wike could close his ears against the plight of the teachers who are nation builders and questioned the essence of the biometric exercise conducted in the state.
Comrade Gladday appealed to Governor Wike to urgently come to the aid of the workers especially teachers who have been owed for over seven months by paying off their salaries or risk continuous closure of the schools in the new academic session.
In her contribution, Comrade Grace Goodluck expressed displeasure over the attitude of government for refusing to pay their salaries without a single reason, adding that it is wickedness for teachers to be denied their wages and called on Governor Nyesom Wike to direct the immediate payment of their salaries to enhance better productivity particularly as the schools are resuming soon, or expect to meet empty classrooms all over the state.
The representatives of the Teachers’ Association are calling on the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kainye Ebeku to resign his appointment if he fails to pay their salaries and as well explain to the world why teacher’s salaries could not be paid.
The Rivers Commissioner for Education is further demanded to explain if teachers have not completed their biometrics or if they are not civil servants in the state?
The commissioner who is accused of complicity in the further delay of teachers salary in the state is also requested to convince the people if he has not diverted the teachers salaries for his private enrichment.
Meanwhile, the planned public protest, The Newswriter learnt would continue for three days and commences between now and the resumption date of Wednesday 12th September, 2016.
However, The Newswriter gathered that, the suspension of the Commissioners in the State particularly the Head of Service, Pastor Godwins N. Rufus and Finance Commissioner, Hon. Fred Kpakol was connected to the non-payment of Teachers and other Civil Servants in the State.
Certain delegations were sent by the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers’ (NUT) to meet with the Governor on the said issue, and at the instant of that meeting was the discovery by the governor that the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Finance were not innocent on the ordeal and predicaments of teachers in the State, The Newswriter authoritatively gathered.
And having considered the plight of Teachers and other workers suffering from non-payment of their salaries, the governor, this publication gathered swung into action to suspend those linked to it, for possible payment and investigation.
Efforts to get the Commissioners (Education/Finance) and Head of Service for reaction proved abortive. ####
