Dozens of teachers from government-owned primary and secondary schools in Rivers State gathered at the Government House to protest their alleged exclusion from Governor Sim Fubara’s N100,000 Christmas bonus.
The bonus, approved for each civil servant during the holidays, had initially sparked jubilation among members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state.
The protesting teachers, numbering around 100, revealed that while other civil servants had received their bonus along with their December 2023 salary, they were yet to receive any amount. The teachers expressed their displeasure over the situation and urged the state government to intervene urgently.
Addressing journalists during the protest, a teacher identified as Oke appealed to Governor Fubara, requesting his intervention in ensuring the release of the funds.
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She explained that the news of the bonus had initially brought joy to all civil servants, but the joy was short-lived for those who did not receive the expected bonus by January 2024.
Oke stated “We were so happy when we heard that the governor approved N100,000 Christmas bonus for all civil servants. So, we assumed that the last Christmas was going to be very great for us. But as we speak today, this is January; a few of us as you can see have not received the Christmas bonus,” she said.
“On Monday schools will be resuming. Most of us travelled and we have returned.
“We have exhausted all we have. So we are here this morning to register our complaints to our dear loving governor to help us talk to those who are holding our Christmas bonus.
“Our N100, 000 Christmas bonus should be released because it will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the hardship especially in this January,” she added.
Some teachers accused their banks and the state Universal Basic Education Board of failing to address the issue.
A government official, addressing the protesters, commended them for their peaceful disposition and assured them that their complaints would be thoroughly investigated and addressed.