Breaking News: Rivers State Government To Pay Civil Servants Salary Arrears

Rivers  State  Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that  his administration  will  work towards paying  off all salary arrears owed by  the immediate  past  administration  in  the  state.

He stressed  that  no civil servant will be victimised on the account  of their political  inclinations,  but added that  they should  desist from  playing  partisan politics.

Addressing,  civil servants  on Monday  at the  State Secretariat during  his maiden  meeting  with  them, Governor  Wike  said  that  his administration  will  be workers friendly.

He said  never in the  history  of  the  state  had civil servants  salaries  been owed , pointing  out  that  he will take  proactive  measures  to  ensure  that the state  will  never  descend to such unacceptable  level.

He said : “I want to  assure  you  that  we will  pay  you  your  salaries.  We cannot  embark  on  project execution  without  first  paying  your  salaries.

“The immediate  past  administration  owed salaries  because  of  misplaced  priorities. For this administration,  staff welfare will  be  given  top priority “.

He regretted  that  the  civil  servants and their unions  kept  quiet  while  the  former  administration  relegated  staff welfare  to the  background.

On the  poor  condition  of  the  State Secretariat, Governor  Wike  assured  the  workers  that  his administration  will  improve  facilities  at the  State  Secretariat  for greater  productivity  of the  workers.

The governor,  however,  charged  the State  Head of Service,  Mr Samuel Long-John to take remedial measures to improve  the  state secretariat pending  the  full scale  rehabilitation. 

He also directed the Permanent  Secretary,  Ministry  of  Sports  to ensure that sportsmen  and women  playing for Sharks,  Dolphin  and Rivers  Angels Football  Clubs get their eight months  salaries  today.

Earlier,  Head of  Service,  Mr Samuel Long-John assured  the governor  that the  civil  servants  will support his administration  in the  quest  to  transform  the state.