Nelson A.Osuala
wed10|02|16 [7:52am]
In following the good spirit of an exemplary leadership,The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, did yesterday, Tuesday announce a drastic 80% slash of his monthly salary.
Like the Biblical Saviour, he (Aside) has decided to remain "poor" so that the people of Cross River will be rich.
Such kind selfless gesture did not go on unnoticed as his followers and other Government officials unanimously agreed to a 20% slash in their salaries.
Don't ask why they did not like Ben Ayade agree to the same 80% slash? Obviously, it is always the leader that pays the ultimate price.
It was the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Rosemary Archibong, that disclosed this to reporters at the NUJ Press Center in Calabar.
Channels Television corroborated the story and informs that , the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government and the 28 Commissioners in the state on seeing the noble act of the Governor, did also agree to a 20 per cent slash of their salaries which according to them would help to enhance the cumulative reduction being used for the infrastructural development of the 'people's paradise'.
In the words of Dr. Archibong:
“..With a lot of financial burden in the state which needs to be attended to, the Governor and other members of the State Executive Council voluntarily decided to forgo part of their salaries to help develop Cross River State in line with the vision of the Governor Ayade led administration”.
In other to calm the fears of the civil servants in the state. She did however, maintain that action by the Government officials will not in any way lead to a slash in their(the masses) own "miserable" monthly take home.
According to her, "the slash has nothing to do with salaries of civil servants and would not go into any capital expenditure".
Critical comments:
We commend the sacrificial actions of the Government of cross river state.. It was not an easy decision to make especially now that the exchange rate of Naira to a Dollar is no doubt epileptic as the latter continues to gain value.
Nelson Osuala is an Editor in Negroidhaven.
