CROSIEC Chairman Denies Reports of Unpaid Salaries Due to 'Rat-Eaten Server'

 

The Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), Dr. Ekon Boko, has dismissed recent media reports alleging that a server failure caused by rats was responsible for the non-payment of staff salaries. He described the claim as "completely false and misleading."

Speaking in an interview, Dr. Boko clarified that CROSIEC does not handle salary payments, as it done under the Accountant General’s office. “We receive salaries like any other employee of the state government. We don’t own a server, and we don’t pay salaries directly,” he stated.

Addressing concerns about the unpaidCROSIEC Chairman Denies Reports of Unpaid Salaries Due to 'Rat-Eaten Server' salaries of over 80 staff members recruited before the last local government elections, the CROSIEC chairman confirmed that their payments had been delayed. However, he assured that Governor Bassey Otu had graciously approved the salaries and that the Accountant General’s office was already processing them for payment this March.

“The claim that a server issue caused the delay is unfounded because we do not operate any servers for salary payments or election results. Our records are manually stored,” Dr. Boko explained.

He also criticized the reporter behind the viral claim, stating that due diligence was not conducted before publication. “The journalist should have reached out for clarification. Instead, he put out false information that amounts to blackmail,” he said.

On staff welfare, the chairman acknowledged that while salaries had been delayed, the commission had prioritized improving work conditions. He highlighted the renovation of CROSIEC’s office and the ongoing construction of a central store to enhance efficiency.

Dr. Boko urged staff to be patient and follow due processes in addressing grievances, emphasizing that civil servants should avoid resorting to social media sensationalism. “They are not a pressure group. There are proper channels to seek redress,” he added.

With the commission now focusing on preparations for future elections, he expressed optimism that outstanding challenges, including mobility constraints, would be addressed soon.