Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Tuesday, said payment of salaries and pensions is an achievement of any government, particularly his administration.
The Governor said this while responding to questions on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show,’ where he also stated that while Cross River receives the least in terms of federal allocation, it ranks number when it comes to commitment and payment of salaries and pensions to workers.
He said: “What is the point of building a skyscraper when your people and citizens are poor? I am a son of a civil servant. My father retired as a civil servant. So, I know that salary and pension are far more critical than any other project.
“The citizens of this country matter more than building massive projects when your people are poor. And I can tell you Cross River State ranks number one in terms of commitment of salaries and pensions yet we are number 36 in terms of federal allocation.”
He added: “Let me tell you, I inherited, for example, 36 months salary debt and arrears and I cleared that. And you think that is not big news?
“You think Cross River state with the lowest allocation in the country is not owing salaries, and pensions are not big news? Please go to other states and check states that earn far more than I do and still owe salaries.”
