AnambraWorkers Lament May Salary Payment Delay

Workers in the Anambra State Ministry of Justice have decried the delay in payment of May, 2013 salary.

The state government and judicial authorities disagreed over the recruitment of more than 100 workers by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The state government said that the February exercise was done with its approval.

Some workers of the ministry, described the situation as unacceptable and unbearable, noting that it had resulted to poor performances at work.

“We are feeling the impact of the delay and it is already affecting our performance. “How can they say that they are not aware of the recruitment when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Afuba, attended the meeting where JSC took the decision? “We are not happy. We will soon stop coming to work because we don’t have transport money, we pity the new staffs because they have not received salary since February. “The government should come out and let us know their stand, we are tired,” the Deputy Chief Registrar (Administration), Mrs Irene Ndigwe, said.

The Chairman, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Mr Mark Ifezue, said the union had met with the Head of Service with a view to resolving the impasse.

“As it is now, we are expecting the Head of Service, Mr Chidi Ezeoke, to give us his final opinion on the payment of salary. “The state government’s position is that they will not pay the new staff, but that won’t work.

Our position remains that they must pay all staff because the Judicial Service Commission has the powers to recruit staff,” Ifezue said.

The Deputy Director (Administration), Mr Emmanuel Nnaemeka, said that the JSC had powers under the law to employ, discipline and promote staff.

“So, when the state government talks of waiver, I don’t know what they mean by that. “The constitution also states that money coming from revenue allocation should be paid to the judiciary and courts which has not been observed by the executive arm. “It is like we are under cash trap by the executive arm. We are not challenging them, we are only asking that they give what is due to us,” Nnaemeka said.