Primary healthcare workers protest non-payment of seven months’ salary

Some primary healthcare workers attached to health centers across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State have staged a peaceful protest to the government house in Port Harcourt over alleged non-payment of their seven months’ salary arrears.

The protesting workers made up of cleaners, gardeners and security officials were employed by a contracting firm engaged by the Rivers State government.

The leader of the protesting workers, Samuel James appealed to the Rivers State government to prevail on the company to pay them.

According to James, “We know we were not employed by the Rivers state Government. We were contracted by a private company. The government should be please pay the contractors so they can pay us. We are suffering and we are helpless.

“Thank God our Governor is a Barrister so he understands the Law.”

Some of the protesters said life has become difficult due to the alleged non-payment of their seven months salary.

No government official addressed the protesters at the government house gate while all efforts to reach the contracting firm proved abortive.

However, when contacted, the special adviser to the Rivers State governor on Primary Healthcare, George Opudah, said the Rivers State government has nothing to do with the protesters hired by a contracting firm.

George Opudah also clarified that the State Primary Healthcare board is not owing any of its contractors.

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