by By Patrick Obia In CrossRiverWatch
Our newsroom can confirmed that, following the picketing and shutdown of the Cross River State Secretariat by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the office of Head of Service has began refunding the ₦25,000 extorted from Directors.
Sources from the NLC disclosed this to CrossRiverWatch saying, the “HOS led by Mrs. Geraldine Akpet-Ekanem succumbed to the pressure and began refunds, calling on those who are not around to come get their money in cash.”
NLC had swore to employ all its arsenal to ensure the ₦25,000 extorted from 275 Directors were refunded.
Earlier today (Monday), the Nigeria Labour in Cross River State barricaded the State Secretariat, demanding refund of illegal promotion examination charges for Directors.
The NLC with their members locked the gate restricting both human and vehicular movement in, out and within the premises.
Placards with different inscriptions such as; “labour say no to #25,000 before exams for Directors,” “Head of Service, Geraldine Akpet-Ekanem must go,” “Ayade payroll workers employed since 2018,” “Ayade don’t kill the Civil service,” “HOS implement Civil servants promotion you inherited,” among others.
As at press time, Police were still at the scene but the NLC remains resolute to ensure all extorted money is refunded. Even though the Government has successfully accepted it’s fault and is refunding the extorted money, the NLC has not opened the gate to the premises.
The State NLC had issued a warning to the Government asking that no fee should be collected for the promotion examination threatening to act if not refunded.
