Mkpoikana Udoma 27 June 2014, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – Officials of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority, TIMARIV, say they have now been owed 6 months salaries by the state government.
TIMARIV Chapter Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employee Union, UPTUNE, Mr. Ekenewari Ketel, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the Rivers State government has refused to fulfill promise of paying the salaries of TIMARIV workers.
According to him, “throughout this year, we have not been paid our salaries. On May 1st, the governor told us that he has graciously approved the sum of N500 million for our payment to clear the backlog. We are surprise that up till this moment, we have not been paid”.
“As it stands right now, our concerned is not just the salaries, because last time the governor gave N150 million, this time he promised N500 million. If the N500 million got finished, how then are we sure of the next months? On May day, the governor said he will take over the payment of our salaries, but till now, we have not seen any salary,” he said.
Ekiniwari also said the union will lead protests of workers of TIMARIV across the state, if the Rivers State Government refuses to pay their salaries by next week Tuesday.
“Not just our salaries, the protest we are about to embark on come Tuesday, is to drive home these points; our salaries and then our proper integration. They should integrate us. The government has employed 13,000 teachers and about to employ more 2,000 teachers, then what is our stake?
“At the end of the day when the present government hands over, they will push us away and then we will have a lot to lose. So, they should integrate us properly into the Ministry of Transport, so we can be sure of our monthly salaries, and if we are not paid, we will know that the entire Ministry is not paid, which will not bother our mind,” he said.