Forest Guards in Cross River State Await Salaries for Nearly a Year
Approximately 300 forest guards employed by the Cross River State Forestry Commission in 2024 are urgently appealing to Governor Bassey Otu to address the significant delay in the payment of their salaries. These guards have reported that they have not received any form of remuneration since their official appointments commenced on July 1, 2024.
A Widespread Issue of Non-Payment
This troubling situation is not isolated to the Forestry Commission. Personnel recently recruited by the State Technical Education Board have also voiced similar complaints, stating they have gone without salaries for approximately nine months. The forest guards, who spoke with journalists, confirmed they completed all mandatory recruitment procedures, including documentation and screening processes. Their employment was formally confirmed by appointment letters dated July 19, 2024, which stated their engagement was effective from the beginning of that same month.
One guard, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed a complicating factor. He explained that a subsequent directive ordered a fresh screening exercise. The purpose was to redeploy candidates possessing higher academic qualifications to the state’s Home Security unit. According to his account, only 11 individuals out of the 300 were selected for this redeployment. "Since then, we have been told that payment will commence soon, but nothing has changed. We have continued to work without pay," the guard lamented.
Official Appeals and Legal Condemnation
The hardship faced by the guards has prompted official action from the Forestry Commission itself. In a letter dated May 19, 2025, with reference number FC/6/Vol.4/49, the Commission formally wrote to Governor Otu seeking his direct intervention. The letter, signed by the Director of Administration, Mrs. Bassey Onoyom Bassey, on behalf of the Commission Chairman, described the guards' predicament as "painful and unjust."
When contacted, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. George Oben-Etche, confirmed that the matter is now before the governor and that the Commission is awaiting further directives. Attempts to get a comment from the Head of Service, Mr. Orok Okon, were not successful.
Reacting to the prolonged delay, constitutional lawyer and former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, strongly criticized the state government's inaction. He described the situation as a clear violation of fundamental labour rights. "Workers are entitled to wages for services rendered. Withholding salaries for this length of time undermines the dignity of labour and contravenes both national and international labour conventions," Obono-Obla stated. He urged the state government to resolve the pressing issue without any further delay.
