A’Ibom Govt Has Saved Over N200bn In Project Costs – Gov Eno

By Bassey Nkponam 
UYO
Akwa Ibom government has saved over N200 billion in project costs.
Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, who gave the indication, Friday, while addressing Federal Permanent Secretaries in Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, said the feat was achieved through rigorous scrutiny of bids, using in-house estimates before contract approvals.
Eno said the savings have enabled the government to execute major development projects without borrowing, while ensuring prudent management of public resources.
The governor made an advocacy for procurement reform describing it as critical to achieving sustainable development both at the national and sub-national levels in Nigeria.
    He maintained that transparent, accountable, and efficient procurement processes would ensure that public resources are used wisely, while it would also improve the delivery of infrastructure and public services, and strengthen public confidence in government. 
Eno stated that on assumption of office, one of his administration’s earliest moves was to strengthen procurement law and scrutinise public procurement processes to enhance efficiency, adding that his administration also established a stand alone Ministry of Science and Digital Economy to digitalise government operations, explaining that recruitment, procurement, gratuity payments and other public service processes are now conducted through verified digital platforms, thereby improving transparency, eliminating fraud and enhancing efficiency.
He recalled that his administration inherited gratuity liabilities of about N111 billion dating back to 2012, but has already paid N87 billion, with plans to clear the outstanding balance before the end of his first term.
According to him, salaries and pensions are being paid promptly while civil servants are undergoing digital skills training to prepare them for technology-driven service delivery.
The Governor said the development strides ranging from the international airport, roads, and others, were dividends of continuity in leadership which he believes in.
Eno applauded the federal permanent secretaries, whom he described as the engine room of government, for their commitment towards interpreting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative, and for choosing to host the retreat in Akwa Ibom.
He encouraged the visiting federal permanent secretaries and their Akwa Ibom counterparts to strengthen professional relationships capable of attracting more federal programmes and development opportunities to the state.
In her remarks, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended Governor Eno for his commitment to good governance, workers’ welfare, infrastructure development and public service reforms, describing the State as a model of purposeful leadership.
Walson-Jack expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the delegation, saying Akwa Ibom has lived up to its reputation as the “Land of Promise.”
She recalled serving in Akwa Ibom during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in 1987 as one of the pioneer corps members posted to the newly created state, describing the visit as a personal homecoming and expressed delight at the remarkable transformation of the state, particularly its extensive road infrastructure.
Walson-Jack said the federal permanent secretaries were having a four-day Procurement Retreat in the State, with 33 of them participating in the retreat jointly organised by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to strengthen procurement systems, leadership, accountability and effective budget implementation.
She praised Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, citing significant progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, economic development, job creation and improved living standards. 
The head of the Civil Service of the Federation also highlighted the governor’s achievements in modern transportation, digital governance, grassroots security and transparency, and particularly applauded the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare through the payment of inherited gratuities and pensions, recruitment into the civil service, housing support and investment in human capacity development, stressing that a motivated public service remains the engine for translating government policies into tangible benefits for citizens.
   Secretary to the government of the federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his senior technical advisor, Professor Babatunde Bernard, commended Governor Eno for the laudable transformation in Akwa Ibom, saying he had taken special interest in the State given its unique ambience.
Also, the director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, congratulated the governor on the state’s impressive infrastructure, describing the Victor Attah International Airport as comparable to airports of similar status anywhere in the world.
Adedokun praised the ongoing infrastructural transformation across Akwa Ibom and announced plans for another visit to conduct a peer review of the state’s procurement system with the House of Assembly as part of efforts to further strengthen procurement reform.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Dr Unyime Idem, who narrated the different sentiments of appreciation by the visitors, appreciated Governor Eno for creating an enabling environment that has attracted people from far and near.