AKSG Approves N2.1bn For Further Payment Of Gratuities

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has approved the immediate release of N2.1 billion for further payment of gratuity to retirees in the state, bringing the total amount released for the purpose since the commencement of the present administration to N35 billion.
The approval for the release came recently from the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, despite the pain of the loss of his dear wife and First Lady of the State, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
A breakdown of the latest payment approval shows that N1.1 billion is for retired State civil servants, N500,000,000 is for retired primary school teachers and N500,000,000 is for retired local government workers.
A release issued by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, indicated that the gesture by the governor was a fulfilment of his assurances during his state-wide broadcast on Friday, October 4, 2024, that the machinery of government and governance will continue to move seamlessly.
According to the statement, release of the funds has significantly cut down the backlog of gratuities, thus representing a fulfillment of his campaign promise to pay down backlog of gratuities if elected.
It noted that one of the defining elements of the governor has been his avowed commitment to the downtrodden and the most vulnerable, while also working to advance the growth of other segments of the society, as he had, during his inaugural address, promised to be their voice and champion.
The release read further, “Today, over 100,000 youths are being empowered through several schemes which he announced during the youth appreciation and engagement rally last month. Through the Arise Elderly Care Initiative, 600,000 elders receive on a regular basis, N50,000 monthly for their upkeep. Through the Office of the First Lady, the Governor has also directed that, the 600 beneficiaries of this scheme be enrolled for one year in the State’s Health Insurance Scheme.
“The Arise Free Food Voucher Programme run by the Bulk Purchase Agency has gone a step further by directly providing food palliatives of rice, garri and beans to the people. The governor, has bought two 40-thousand-foot containers and three more are to be added for this exercise soon. The vulnerable people who have enjoyed this palliative are singing the praise of governor all over the State. The exercise is ongoing.
“Last month, during the youth rally, Governor Eno, had increased the bursary of all Akwa Ibom students in public tertiary institutions from N10,000 to N20,000 for undergraduate students and N10,000 to N30,000 for students studying professional courses like law, medicines, engineering, agriculture, etc. Also, the N100 million Educational Grant for students living with disabilities is being disbursed – with N250,000 for undergraduates and N300,000 for postgraduate students.
“The N2 billion loan earlier given to traders, has been converted to a grant, alongside those of the Arewa, Yoruba, Igbo and Niger Delta indigenes resident in the State.
“36 Arise Compassionate Homes – all fully furnished with steady electricity and water supply, have been given to beneficiaries across the wards in the State, while construction is ongoing on the remaining 164 units which would bring the total number of units to be given out during the first two years, as promised by the governor, to 200. 400 units are expected to be given out during the first term of this administration,” the statement added.
The statement recalled that last month, during the State’s 37th Anniversary, there was excitement and joy when the 150 units of two bedroom homes, under the Grace Homes Scheme, were given free to civil servants between Grade Levels 1-8, noting that today, those civil servants are proud home owners, a clear testament to Governor Eno’s compassionate bonafides, while over 9,000 Public Service Workers were enrolled for free medical insurance during the launch of the State Health Insurance Scheme last month.
It maintained that Governor Eno’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State as well as overall actions and initiatives that underpin his campaign promises have been phenomenal and endearing, saying he has done all these, while undertaking numerous audacious projects such as the ARISE Park and other infrastructural, rural development, agricultural and other people-centric initiatives.