Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State on Thursday addressed protesting workers at the Government House gate in Jalingo, assuring them that payment of their outstanding salaries would commence on Monday.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of workers alleged to have been wrongly classified as “ghost workers” staged a peaceful protest in Jalingo, converging at TY Danjuma House before proceeding towards the Government House.
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, demanded justice and reinstatement, insisting they had passed the government’s verification exercise but were still being denied payment for over four months.
Security personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure the protest remained peaceful as the situation unfolded.
Addressing the demonstrators, Gov. Kefas said his administration was committed to resolving the matter fairly and transparently.
“By Monday, every properly employed worker will begin to receive payment. For those whose employment records require verification, we will rectify their status and ensure they are paid as well,” the governor assured.
He explained that the ongoing verification exercise was designed to sanitize the state’s payroll system and eliminate irregularities, not to victimize genuine workers.
Kefas appealed to the protesters to remain calm and patient as the government finalizes the payment process, reiterating his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and accountability in public service.
The peaceful protest caused minor traffic disruptions around TY Danjuma House and the Government House area, but normalcy was later restored.
