CRSG To Look Into UNICEM Rovers’ Plight

The Cross River State
Government has again assured UNICEM Rovers FC players that it would look into their plight and how to address them.
The State Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham, stated this while addressing the players who were on a peaceful demonstration to Governor’s office, Calabar, requesting for the payment of their outstanding four months salaries and match bonuses.
Mr Cobham advised them to resort to peaceful negotiation rather than carrying placards and blocking public highway, adding, that it was better they sat down with Government to sort things out in their favour, stressing that, “You don’t gain anything when you carry placards and hang around Governor’s Office.
“Cobham observed that Government has the responsibility of catering for three million Cross Riverians, apart from looking into their needs and as such they should not resort to unhealthy behavior which might place them in bad stead.”
According to him, “I am a sportsman, so I know running a football club is not a cheap business, even in developed countries, football clubs are not run by Government, but by private or corporate sponsorship.
No matter how many placards you carry, if your claims are not legitimate nobody will listen to you, so I advise you adhere to my advice.”
He explained that their behavior was embarrassing to the State as the Governor, who would have addressed them, was out of the state, assuring that he would look into their plight when he returns.
The Deputy Governor therefore urged them to appreciate the efforts of the state government as it is going through a tight budget.
He appealed to them to show understanding, while emphasizing that “Government will look into your problems and see how to address them.”
Spokesman for UNICEM Rovers FC, Mr Brave Imoke, commended the Deputy Governor for attending to them, explaining that they decided to demonstrate because, they were being owed four months salaries and match bonuses.
He disclosed that they were forced to embark on the outing because they needed money to feed as well as attend to other needs as footballers.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar