By Staff Reporter
No fewer than 122 guards of the Marhai National Park in Nasarawa State have raised alarm over their prolonged exclusion from the government payroll, a situation that has left them without salaries or allowances for more than a year.
The affected workers, stationed at the Marhai National Park in Wamba Local Government Area, made their grievances known during a meeting with the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Dr. Margaret Elayo, who received them in her office on Monday.
Expressing deep concern, the commissioner described the situation as disturbing and assured the workers of her commitment to ensuring justice and administrative redress.
According to the guards, they underwent a comprehensive documentation and verification exercise over a year ago before resuming duties at the park, in line with directives from the National Parks Commission.
They further disclosed that, as part of the conditions for engagement, they were instructed to secure accommodation at personal cost and to procure and sew official uniforms required for effective service delivery—requirements they said they fully met.
Despite complying with all instructions, the guards lamented that they have not received any form of remuneration, having been excluded from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The prolonged non-payment, they said, has subjected them to severe financial hardship, forcing many to rely on personal savings and external support to survive.
The guards also revealed that although they received assurances from Mrs. Dinatu Wamba, the Conservator of Parks (CP) at the National Parks Commission, their plight remained unresolved, prompting them to petition the state governor and seek intervention from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Responding, Princess Dr. Margaret Elayo expressed sympathy for the guards and admitted she was previously unaware of the depth of their challenges.
She urged the workers to remain calm and patient, directing them to compile and submit a comprehensive list of the 122 affected personnel for onward transmission to the governor.
The commissioner pledged to follow up on the matter and ensure that the financial hardship faced by the guards is not ignored.
It was gathered that the guards had earlier submitted a formal petition to the governor, who subsequently forwarded the matter to the Ministry for review and appropriate advice.
As efforts to resolve the issue continue, the aggrieved Marhai National Park guards say they remain hopeful that their names will be restored to the payroll and their entitlements paid.
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