Payment of salaries and pensions, according to Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, is an achievement for any government, but especially his administration.

He said this in response to inquiries on "The Morning Show" on Arise Television.

Although Cross River receives the smallest amount of federal funding, according to him, it comes in first place for its dedication to and payment of employee salaries and pensions.

The payment of salaries and pensions, he continued, is more crucial than any other endeavor the government might undertake.

He said, “What is the point of building a skyscraper when your people and citizens are poor? I am a son of a civil servant. My father retired as a civil servant. So, I know that salary and pension are far more critical than any other project.

“The citizens of this country matter more than building massive projects when your people are poor. And I can tell you Cross River State ranks number one in terms of commitment of salaries and pensions yet we are number 36 in terms of federal allocation.”

He said, “Let me tell you, I inherited, for example, 36 months salary debt and arrears and I cleared that. And you think that is not big news?

“You think Cross River state with the lowest allocation in the country is not owing salaries, and pensions are not big news? Please go to other states and check states that earn far more than I do and still owe salaries.”