A’Ibom Workers Jubilate Over Gov Eno’s 13th Month Salary

…Call For Speedy Conclusion Of On-Going Staff Verification Exercise.
…Give Me Verification Results Today And I Will Start Payment Tomorrow–Gov Eno.
UYO
Workers in Akwa Ibom State have applauded the magnanimous consideration of Pastor Umo Eno, to pay an extra one month salary, known as 13th month salary, to all civil servants in the state.
The governor reiterated his determination to pay the 13th month salary during the  Christmas Carol held at the Christmas Village in Uyo, over the weekend. The pronouncement by the governor was met with a rousing jubilation, even as he also called for the immediate completion of the on-going staff verification exercise in the state, so as to give room for immediate commencement of the implementation of the new minimum wage structure.
The governor, who emphasised he can not wait to commence the payment of the new minimum wage in the state noted that “If labour gives me the verification today, we will start payment tomorrow”.
The 13th month salary offer, which according to the governor has already been calculated, is an effort to cushion the effects of any delay in the completion of the verification exercise.
A cross section of civil servants who spoke with The Pioneer during a survey at the weekend all embraced the governor’s offer of a 13th month salary, even as they also urged the Staff Verification Committee set up by the governor and which composition includes Labour leaders, to hasten the verification exercise so as to enable the governor commence payment of the new minimum wage.
The workers are of the opinion that the verification exercise is crucial to the implementation of the new minimum wage, given the possibility of the existence of ‘ghost workers’, in the system.
“We are happy with the governor’s decision to pay the 13th month salary and there is no doubt that the money will go a long way to assist various homes in this season”.
  “But while this last, we urge the Verification Committee to hasten up so that the actual implementation of the new minimum wage will commence. This verification exercise is very necessary if the minimum wage is to be paid only to the real people who are working and not to ghost workers.
  “By so doing, money that would have been spent on non-existing workers would be channeled into other meaningful ventures by the government”, the workers stated.