Cross River State Corrects Local Government Teachers' Salaries

Chief Victor Felix Idem, the Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, explained that the recent reversal of salary adjustments for local government teachers was not a deliberate wage cut but a correction of an erroneous upward adjustment. This adjustment had caused local government teachers to earn more than their state-employed counterparts, despite both groups being on the same salary grade levels and performing similar functions.

Idem stated that the local government salaries were excessively higher due to additional payments that were not authorized by the government. He emphasized that the government had a responsibility to correct this irregular payment structure and opted to stop the excess payments rather than demand repayment.

The decision aims to harmonize the salary structure of local government teachers with that of state teachers to prevent industrial disharmony. The objective is to ensure equitable remuneration for teachers performing similar duties across both services.