The special assistant to the Ebonyi state governor on airport security, Mr. Nnanna Nwangele, has denied claims by some protesters over the non-payment of salaries by the state government.

The protesters have allegedly worked as security guards at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport for over 8 months without salary.

In an interview with journalists at the airport facility on Tuesday, Nwangele, who reacted to the claims, said the individuals are not personnel of the airport security guards as the recruitment process is yet to commence.

"This is a matter of misunderstanding. When I assumed office as the special assistant to the governor on airport security, we met the vigilantes and neighborhood watchmen.

"When we started working, we decided to ensure proper security arrangements in accordance with international best practices, and we sought the approval of the governor to form the airport security guard, which has been approved.".

He explained that the local vigilantes and neighborhood watch personnel engaged by the local authorities have not been officially recognized and would not be associated with the airport security guards.

"We don't have their records and we don't know them; this is an international airport, and we need to maintain standards, not bring people from anywhere and engage them as security.

"The protest did not exist here among the people that we know; this is the work of a few people trying to sabotage the good works of His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru," he said.

The governor's assistant equally conducted an inspection of the super runway currently undergoing rehabilitation and commended the governor's determination to ensure that commercial activities commence at the airport facility to boost the state economy.

"The rehabilitation work is in progress; there's no encrouchment from the villagers because we had meetings with them to ensure a good relationship, and they are cooperating with us," he added.