Widows employed as street sweepers block Imo Govt House over unpaid salaries

* You’ll get your money by Monday, Gov’s CoS pleads

Hundreds of widows, on Thursday, obstructed the entrance to the Imo State Government House in Owerri in protest.

The aggrieved women, under the aegis of the Imo Widow Sweepers Association, interrupted the flow of traffic around the Government House.

They accused Governor Hope Uzodinma’s government of owing them six months salaries.

The leader of the group, Mrs. Mercy Okorie, said the government terminated their employment last year but refused to pay them their six months’ salary arrears.

She said they would not leave the Government House gate until the governor agrees to pay them.

“We are widows; who used to sweep streets in Owerri. We are over 500 in number. The government disengaged us last year, but refused to pay us our six months arrears of salaries. We have made efforts to get our salaries paid, but there’s no headway. We are owed N90,000 each, because our salary every month is N15,000,” Okorie stated.

The women also disallowed the convoy of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Nnamdi Anyaehie, from accessing the Government House.

Anyaehie disembarked from his car and told the women that they would be paid on or before Monday.

“On my honour, I want to assure that you will get your money on or before Monday. Governor Hope Uzodimma is very compassionate. He is for you. The delay is because most of you have not submitted your account details. The truth is that this administration does not pay salaries in cash the way you were being paid before,” he stated.

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