Oluwanifemi Ojo
Street sweepers in Calabar, Cross River State, on Tuesday, protested the non-payment of their salaries at the Governor’s office.
According to The PUNCH, the sweepers, mainly elderly women, expressed their frustration at not receiving payment for four months.
Their leader, Madam Nkoyo Etim Effiong, who is about 60 years old explained that the sweepers received different salaries, ranging from N5,000 to N15,000.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Madam Nkoye said, “We are here to let the governor know that we have not been paid for four months. In 2015, they refused to pay us for six months and now they want to go with our four months’ salaries.”
“Those of us who are sweepers are paid differently. There are those who collect N5,000, N8,000 and N10,000 monthly. There are those we call “wreckers” and they collect N15,000 a month. We just want them to give us our money before they leave office,” she added.
Another elderly woman, Emana Cobham, spoke about the risk involved in the job. She said, “By 4.30am, you must go to your duty post, and sweep your portion, which is always a long stretch, before day breaks.”
One of the street sweepers, mentioned that the job was risky as some sweepers had been killed by motorists, others experiencing sexual assault, and some lost their phones and other valuables to robbers.
The sweepers called for the government to pay their salaries before leaving office.
