Cross River Introduces Strict Measures Against Civil Servants’ Loan Evasion

The Cross River Government said it has introduced strict clearance measures aimed at curbing loan repayment evasion among civil servants.

The Head of Service, Mr Orok Okon, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday.

Okon said the decision followed complaints from some financial institutions over loan repayment evasion by civil servants in the state.

“We received complaints of unpaid loans and evasion of loan repayment by staff through switching of salary accounts,” he said.

The permanent secretary said service providers would henceforth obtain clearance to confirm eligibility of civil servants before granting loans that would be tied to salaries.

He said names of beneficiaries should be submitted for vetting, and that unauthorised deductions would no longer be processed by the Head of Service’s office.

“Civil servants will not be allowed to change salary pay points without formal approval through their ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

Okon said violations by staff, payroll officers, or financial institutions would attract sanctions such as blacklisting from future engagements.

He further said that the policy aimed to promote financial discipline, protect workers’ welfare, and enhance transparency in salary-related transactions.