Gov Eno Approves Additional N6.43bn for Payment of Workers’ Gratuities, other Entitlements

 Okon Bassey in Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has again approved additional N6.43 billion for payment of gratuities and other entitlements of workers in the state, bringing sum to over N28 billion so far released for the sector since assuming office.

The disbursement of the fund is said to stem from the governor’s determined desire to fulfill his campaign promise to regularly set aside substantial amount of funds for the payment of gratuities and other entitlements for retired workers in the state.

A breakdown of the latest released fund show that N1,000,000,000 is for payment of gratuities for retired primary school teachers (SUBEB); N500, 000, 000 for the payment of gratuities of retired local government workers, N2,220,524,257.62  payment of gratuities, pension arrears, and en bloc for state retired  civil service workers, N597,400,000.00, for the 2014 leave grant for local government workers and N2,115,000.000.00 payment for leave grant for workers in the state civil service, bringing the total amount of funds released by governor in the months of July and August respectively to N6, 432,924, 257.62.

The governor stressed that with the rich infrastructural amenities previous administrations had approved, the focus now should be to grow the people, improve their material wellbeing and accelerate developments in the rural areas.

A release by state government said the passionate dedication to the welfare of the most vulnerable and the neediest in the society has led to the construction and hand over of 36 fully-furnished and fitted 2- bedroom bungalows under the Arise Compassionate Homes Initiative to the poorest and the most vulnerable so far, with 164 currently under construction.

The plans of the governor are to hand over 200 of those units in his second year and 400 by the end of his first term.

Already 150 units out of the 236 units at the Grace Homes Estate, are to be given out to civil servants from grades level 1-8, free of charge through a raffle draw selection process.

And through the Arise Elderly Care Initiatives, N50,000 is given out monthly to 600 elders throughout the 368 wards in the state. Bursaries to students in public tertiary institutions are being paid, alongside grants for students with disabilities. WAEC fees for all students continue to be paid and the State’s pass rate ratio has increased exponentially.

The governor, through the Bulk Purchase Agency, is distributing staple food items directly to the most vulnerable in the state and also remains deeply grateful for the palliatives so far given to the people of the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Apart from the humanitarian interventions, Governor Eno, is also undertaking audacious capital projects such as the completion of road infrastructure inherited from previous administrations and the ongoing construction of numerous other road projects he has initiated throughout the state.

There is also the plan to acquire two brand new CRJ-900 series Bombadier jets to expand the fleet and routes for Ibom Air, to be purchased outright; added to the planned 19- Storey Ibom Towers in Lagos and the 3- Star Ibom Hotel in Abuja among others.