Governor Bassey Otu approves payment of outstanding wages and allowances after workers’ peaceful protest over unpaid salaries

The Cross River State Government has cleared five months of Obudu Ranch Salary Arrears, bringing relief to employees of the Obudu Ranch Resort after weeks of uncertainty and a peaceful protest over unpaid wages.

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Governor Bassey Otu approved the immediate release of the funds, with workers beginning to receive payment alerts on Wednesday, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Obudu Ranch Resort, Sunday Michael.

The payment covers five months of outstanding salaries as well as unpaid allowances owed to staff of the state-owned tourism facility.

“The payment, which also includes outstanding allowances, was made on the express directive of the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, for the immediate clearance of all salary arrears owed to workers of the resort,” Michael said.

He disclosed that the governor had further instructed the resort’s management to ensure salaries are paid promptly going forward to prevent another accumulation of arrears.

Michael said the intervention reflected the administration’s “People First” governance agenda and was expected to improve staff welfare, restore confidence and enhance service delivery at one of Nigeria’s best-known mountain tourism destinations.

The payment comes just weeks after employees of the resort staged a peaceful demonstration on July 1, demanding the settlement of months of unpaid salaries.

The protest drew attention to the financial difficulties faced by workers, many of whom appealed to the state government for urgent intervention.

One of the beneficiaries, Unimashi Adah, expressed appreciation to Governor Otu, describing the payment as a welcome relief after several months without income.

The Obudu Ranch Resort, formerly known as Obudu Cattle Ranch, remains one of Cross River State’s flagship tourism assets, attracting visitors with its temperate climate, mountain scenery and recreational facilities.

However, the resort has faced operational and financial challenges in recent years, prompting successive administrations to pursue measures aimed at restoring its commercial viability and improving its infrastructure.

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The settlement of the salary arrears is expected to improve employee morale while supporting ongoing efforts by the state government to revitalise the resort and strengthen Cross River’s position as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria.