Workers at the Ogoja Urban Development Authority in Cross River State have raised alarm over the non-payment of their salaries for 13 months, leaving many of them struggling to survive. The employees, most of whom are elderly women, earn just ₦5,000 monthly and have not received wages from 2024 up to September 2025.
Several of the affected staff told reporters that they were fed up with the situation and might be forced to abandon their jobs if nothing changes. Some accused political leaders of neglecting their plight, alleging that those in authority prioritize their own interests while workers are left in poverty.
“This has gone beyond hardship. We cannot feed our families or take care of ourselves. If nothing is done, we will have no choice but to leave the job,” one of the workers said.
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The prolonged salary arrears have fueled anger and despair within the Authority, as many employees feel betrayed after years of service dedicated to supporting urban development in Ogoja. The meagre salaries, which barely sustain them even when paid on time, have now been withheld for over a year, worsening their financial woes.
The development has sparked calls for urgent intervention from the Cross River State Government to resolve the crisis and prevent the collapse of the agency’s operations. Stakeholders warn that unless the government steps in, the authority risks losing its already overstretched workforce, with grave consequences for urban planning and development in the region.
The Ogoja Urban Development Authority’s salary crisis underscores broader concerns about governance, workers’ welfare, and the political neglect of vulnerable communities in Cross River State.
