The secretariat's entrance was blocked by the demonstrators, who were there as early as 7:30am.
More than 1700 Cross River civil servants have taken to the streets, protesting the non-payment of their five years' salaries.
The secretariat's entrance was blocked by the demonstrators, who were there as early as 7:30am.
Meanwhile, Raphael Antigha, a spokesman for the demonstrators, claimed that since their employment between 2017 and 2018, they had not received any wages.
He added that N47,000 was the highest monthly wage.
“The government has made us undergo two screening and verification to resolve the issue, yet the issue remains the same. Each time the government complains of no money, and yet, he gives out hundreds of political appointments each week. Where is he getting the money to pay them?” he said.
The protesters chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with various inscriptions, “Where is the food on the table you promised? Hunger is everywhere; we are humans and not animals.”
Responding on behalf of Governor Ben Ayade, the Head of Service, Ogbang Akwaji, denied that the state government owed workers’ salaries.
“Cross River government is one state that has placed a great premium on the welfare of its workforce, in spite of the challenging revenue inflows. At the moment, July salaries have been paid to workers by the state government. There are no workers in the state who are being owed five years’ salaries,” he claimed.