Rivers State workers appeal for enforcement of salary ruling

Disengaged workers from the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, approximately 100 in number, have approached the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt seeking to enforce a National Industrial Court ruling regarding their unpaid salaries. The workers were disengaged by the Rivers State Government, with salary payments ceasing in 2017.

In October 2021, the National Industrial Court ruled that their employment status remained valid and ordered the Rivers State Government, under then-Governor Nyesom Wike, to pay their salaries and emoluments. However, the government has not complied with this order.

The workers filed enforcement proceedings, but the lower court denied their request, citing a pending appeal. Aggrieved, the workers, represented by counsel Isa Saidu, filed an application on July 17, 2025, to appeal this decision.

The respondents, represented by H. N.

Amadi from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, did not oppose the application. Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu granted the workers' application to appeal, as they seek to recover over N3 billion in owed salaries.