Gov Otu, CRSHA silent as Obudu Mountain Resort workers go 14 months without salaries

The Cross River State Government has come under fire for its failure to address the ongoing neglect of Obudu Mountain Resort (OMR) workers, who have gone unpaid for months despite repeated pleas and petitions. The petitions, directed to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA) and Governor Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, were officially received by the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Owen Enoh, on 14th May 2024. Yet, to date, no action has been taken to resolve the workers’ grievances.

The petitions, dated 10th May 2024, were obtained by our reporter, revealing the workers’ plight of unpaid salaries spanning 14 months. These workers have not only been deprived of their wages but also denied their allowances and other entitlements. Many have struggled to make ends meet, despite dedicating their services to the prestigious Obudu Mountain Resort.

In an effort to uncover the truth, our reporter embarked on a fact-finding mission which revealed that the state governor had indeed released funds for the payment of salary arrears. However, to the dismay of many, only a portion of the workers were paid. Around sixty employees who had complied with a directive from former Governor Ben Ayade to transfer their services to their respective local government areas were left out of the payment exercise. These workers had obeyed the transfer orders, following the government’s move to reduce the resort’s overburdened staff count, only to now be denied their rightful dues.

One of the most heart-wrenching details in the petition involved a worker, Prince Godfrey Ichile, who tragically went blind while still in active service. Despite his condition, Ichile has yet to receive any of his entitlements—neither his 14 months’ worth of unpaid salary nor his gratuity. His case serves as a grim reminder of the human toll of this ongoing neglect.

The petitioners are calling on Governor Otu’s administration to live up to the promises made under the “People First Mantra,” which emphasises the welfare of citizens as a priority. The workers, particularly those transferred under Ayade’s directive, argue that the exclusion from payment is not only unjust but also a violation of their rights after years of dedicated service to the state.

As the months drag on without a resolution, the plight of these neglected workers highlights the urgent need for a response from the Cross River State Government. The workers have voiced their faith in Governor Otu’s ability to reverse this trend and ensure justice is served. However, until concrete action is taken, the silence from the government only exacerbates the growing frustration within the resort’s workforce.

For the workers of Obudu Mountain Resort, this issue is no longer just about delayed payments—it is a test of the state’s commitment to its own people. All eyes are now on the state government to fulfil its promises and resolve this long-standing issue with the fairness and compassion that the “People First Mantra” demands.

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