A coalition of widows/next of kins of late primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom on Monday took to the streets to protest alleged government’s failure to pay gratuities of the deceased teachers dating back to 1978 as promised.
The protesters who stormed government house displayed placards of various inscriptions alleged that government in a bid to stop the proposed protest had gone on air to announce commencement of payment today (Monday), adding that government was not sincere about the payment.
Some of the inscriptions read, “we don’t want radio payment again; govt is not sincere about payment of our gratuities and pension” among others.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the protest, Secretary of the Coalition, Mr. Benjamin Benson explained that they came out to protest because government’s information about payment was a defensive strategy.
“We embarked on this peaceful protest today because government has failed to keep to its agreement on the payment of gratuities and pensions to both the living and next of kin of retired Primary School teachers.
“We are here in continued protest to the lingering issue. We know that the information that came out on Friday from the state government about commencement of payment was not premeditated.
“We met with the Police and informed them about our planned protest last Thursday and we told them that our demands are simple, that between that Friday and Monday, failure to pay us that money will lead to embark on a protest.
“And on Friday we got the information that Government will commence payment today (Monday), so we knew where that decision was coming from. Everyday they keep saying they are going to commence payment and nothing has been done.
“Today we wanted to sleep here at the gate of the government House until they Pay. But we want to give Government the benefits of the doubt.” Benson explained.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen who addressed the protesters pleaded with them and promised that payment would be guaranteed in the next 48 hours.
