Labour Day: Cross River State to Disburse Next Round of Gratuity Payments Within a Month – Governor Otu

During the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, announced that the payment of the next batch of gratuity arrears will commence in a couple of weeks, as revealed by his Deputy, Hon. Peter Odey, who represented him at the event.

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The state had previously released N10 billion to clear gratuity from 2009 to 2015, out of the 14 years of backlogs inherited from 2009 to 2023 by the current administration, and outstanding gratuity up to 2015 has already been cleared.

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Governor Otu stated that the rest of the gratuity, from 2015 to 2023, would be paid in a couple of weeks, saying "Let me use this opportunity to announce that the next set of payments will be done in a couple of weeks).

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The governor highlighted his administration’s workers’ welfare initiatives, reaffirming commitment to a "people-first mantra", and noted that workers’ challenges receive priority attention through policies as well as negotiations with labour unions.

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Governor Otu believes that the workers who are the power engine and drive the machinery of government are crucial to the administration's success, stating "We believe that the workers who are the power engine and drive the machinery of government are not happy their success becomes difficult to achieve."

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The governor lauded the state workforce for sustaining industrial harmony, declaring May Day a day of "reflection, appreciation, and self-taking of the immeasurable contribution of our workers."

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Key achievements of the administration include training 300 civil servants monthly in ICT, 200 certified in health, safety and environmental management, and 100 in public communication, with a target of 500 for the latter.

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Governor Otu also mentioned that his administration has connected all government offices to public power supply, and that renovation of offices, provisions, and furnishers and supply of equipment are ongoing.

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Other initiatives by the administration include providing vehicles for NLC and TUC, 50 hectares of land per district for civil servants’ housing scheme, a staff club and event centre, and a revised public service manual.

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The administration has also implemented yearly increments, promotions for 2,000 recruits, extended maternity leave to 24 weeks, and provided free transport during festive periods.

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In response to union demands, Governor Otu clarified that there is no salary structure disparity between state and local governments, and promised to review the retirement age of health workers.

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A committee on local government staff regularization has also been noted by the governor, as part of the administration's efforts to address the concerns of workers.