THE Rivers State Government has condemned the protest embarked upon by a group of persons who claimed that they were owed salaries for eight months.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, expressed dismay over the protest by the group at the Government House, who claimed to be members of staff of the state Ministry of Sports.

Semenitari dismissed the claim and insisted while the state government was preparing to pay April salaries; civil servants in the state had been receiving salaries up to March 2015.

“It is for this reason that government wishes to condemn unequivocally the needless violent protest today in Port Harcourt as we have consistently shown good faith in our dealings with all categories of persons.

“While we appreciate the challenges many persons face in our country today, we dare say that it is curious that this protest is coming on the heels of spurious and mischievous allegations by some persons that the Rivers State Government is indebted to its workers,” she added.

Semenitari said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday that the state government had continued to pay workers’ salaries because it believed that workers’ welfare was paramount in governance.

“It has come to the notice of the Rivers State Government that some persons claiming to be staff of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports have been protesting an alleged eight-month non-salary payment.

“While the government of Rivers State will not wish to join issues with the demonstrators, it wishes to note that all civil servants employed by the government of Rivers State have been paid salaries up to the month of March, with plans to commence payment of April salaries.

“The Rivers State Government has continued to ensure the payment of staff salaries because it believes that the welfare of its workers must be paramount in governance.

“In the same vein, it will not treat with levity matters concerning other staff in its employ, who while they may not be civil servants, are ad hoc staff deserving of fair treatment,” she said.

Semenitari, however, expressed government’s commitment to its workers and promised to continue to meet its obligations to those in its employ.

“Government, however, must verify all claims by persons who may be so employed to enable it compute what salaries and wages are due these category of persons and address the matter as may be most appropriate,” she added.

Copyright PUNCH.

booked!

Hang in there, Wike is en-route.

AMETHEIF

Wike is trekking from abuja, he wil b wit u guys shortly, pls exercise patience (nt jona's wife ooo...)

But why is Mrs Ibim still lying?? Amaechi owes a minimum of 3 months salary to most civil service arms. Instead of denying it he should be looking for way to make ammends with civil servants and settle salaries. Abi he carried state money to support Buhari!!He better pay civil servants otherwise protests shall continue.. shikena #PayOurSalaries

This is what people have been complaining about since yet we still have people who with clear conscience still support Governor Amaechi to further ruin this state more than he already has. Amaechi has the audacity to claim that he his trying to tackle corruption in the state yet he is reeks of Corruption and doom. How can he say he has the interest of the people of Rivers State in mind when he wouldn't pay workers and who for his actions have been rendered homeless and forced to hunger. Can't wait till May 29 when his "Rule of Terror" to come to an end and for a more capable hand to takeover. AMAECHI PAY THE PEOPLE YOU OWE AND GO!

They just keep lying... Hoarding all these funds leads nowhere. Just pay the people let them rest

Ameachi is just a crook, i wonder what his tryna achieve with this but am so sure this particular one will expose him,if your gonna lie it shouldnt be on the poor mases that voted and strived to put you there am glad wike has come to liberate the people of rivers state, in some days this rubbish will be over

andaroyale:
This is what people have been complaining about since yet we still have people who with clear conscience still support Governor Amaechi to further ruin this state more than he already has. Amaechi has the audacity to claim that he his trying to tackle corruption in the state yet he is reeks of Corruption and doom. How can he say he has the interest of the people of Rivers State in mind when he wouldn't pay workers and who for his actions have been rendered homeless and forced to hunger. Can't wait till May 29 when his "Rule of Terror" to come to an end and for a more capable hand to takeover. AMAECHI PAY THE PEOPLE YOU OWE AND GO!

Do u people sincerely bliv Wike can pay salaries where Amaechi failed to?If Amaechi can owe for a month or two,then Wike would owe for at least 10mths

Reasons why

doctokwus:

Do u people sincerely bliv Wike can pay salaries where Amaechi failed to?If Amaechi can owe for a month or two,then Wike would owe for at least 10mths

mikejohnny57:
Reasons why

1: Wike lacks any management/leadership ability.
2:Wike has a lot of debts to offset and godfathers/godmothers to settle on a regular basis. Failure to do so,they instigate a crisis against him using other elected PDP legislators,both in abuja and rivers state.
3:Under GMB, governors cannot squander funds so recklessly.But by d time Wike tries to settle all d people above and live d kind of life he has always imagined governors live,there will be very little to pay the large workforce in Rivers state.He has to retrench,but he dares not,less those same thugs he used in rigging d election who he has to put into the workforce soon as he gets in,turn against him.
I could go on,but d summary is that Wike is a failure bound to happen.
All this can even be an academic exercise because there is d high possibility Wike could be deposed at d tribunal or a fresh election ordered,which he most definitely would lose.

Once yu join APC, the first tin they teach yu is hw to lie to the masses.

Mrs Ibim keep lying.
Rivers workers, jus hang in there. Wike is coming to clean up Amaechi's mess.

The fresh air of Wike that will blow is still doing warm up. Lol!

doctokwus:

1: Wike lacks any management/leadership ability.
2:Wike has a lot of debts to offset and godfathers/godmothers to settle on a regular basis. Failure to do so,they instigate a crisis against him using other elected PDP legislators,both in abuja and rivers state.
3:Under GMB, governors cannot squander funds so recklessly.But by d time Wike tries to settle all d people above and live d kind of life he has always imagined governors live,there will be very little to pay the large workforce in Rivers state.He has to retrench,but he dares not,less those same thugs he used in rigging d election who he has to put into the workforce soon as he gets in,turn against him.
I could go on,but d summary is that Wike is a failure bound to happen.
All this can even be an academic exercise because there is d high possibility Wike could be deposed at d tribunal or a fresh election ordered,which he most definitely would lose.

Why Spoil the barely even know or have dealing with. AMEACHI Pay salaries O! Before land lord go pursue my neighbour comot for house!

Meant saying

hy Spoil someone you barely even know or have dealing with - Wike. AMEACHI Pay salaries O! Before land lord go pursue my neighbour comot for house!

Chiaka:
Meant saying

hy Spoil someone you barely even know or have dealing with - Wike. AMEACHI Pay salaries O! Before land lord go pursue my neighbour comot for house!

Check his history as chairman of Obio Okpor LGA: reign of thugs +impunity+ corruption.
Check his history as education minister: longest strike in educational sector;a disaster.
Check how he won his party's primaries and the election: intimidation, thuggery and rigging.
I cannot be senseless not to know what awaits Rivers people with such a person at the helm.
Amaechi will be 100x the governor Wike could ever be;thats assuming the judiciary is blind to the sham of election he wants to rule with.

MzJackBaueress demdem Omenka Obiagelli egift Passingshot

ibietela2:
MzJackBaueress demdem Omenka Obiagelli egift Passingshot

Just one month, and nobody wants to hear of Amaechi. If im Amaechi, id better, stop wasting money on judges, loot the treasury, pack all the salarys and run to my wife in london, afterall, GMB is in my pocket, what can civil servant do to me. Gbam

ibietela2:
MzJackBaueress demdem Omenka Obiagelli egift Passingshot

Going by the news here, Amaechi is owing just April salary and the state is making arrangement to pay it.

doctokwus:

Check his history as chairman of Obio Okpor LGA: reign of thugs +impunity+ corruption.
Check his history as education minister: longest strike in educational sector;a disaster.
Check how he won his party's primaries and the election: intimidation, thuggery and rigging.
I cannot be senseless not to know what awaits Rivers people with such a person at the helm.
Amaechi will be 100x the governor Wike could ever be;thats assuming the judiciary is blind to the sham of election he wants to rule with.

Anywaz I voted him in. He performed well as Obiokpor Chairman. Trying to generate money for his local government, well
he may have overdone it like you explained. Anywaz I voted for Wike so did everyone around me. I prefer him a million times
to Dakuku who is just Ameachi puppet. ooo oooo people dey hungry o! Ameachi pay all the salaries before you comot for office
Land lord wan pursue my neighbour for house ooo!