AKSG Clears N39.8bn Bank Debt

…Approves The ARISE Tech Talent Accelerator Programme For Youths
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
As part of a broad overhaul of the state’s financial management system, Akwa Ibom government has cleared all inherited commercial bank debts totalling N39.831 billion, including principal and interest.
This was made known by the commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Almond Bob, last Monday, during the February edition of the monthly media briefing of the government which took place at the Government House press centre, Uyo, where he outlined measures taken to stabilise public finances and strengthen fiscal transparency, said government the has also reduced the gratuity backlog owed to retired state workers from N110 billion inherited to N80 billion as at December 2025, even as monthly salaries and pensions were being paid promptly.
According to him, the current administration grew its investment portfolio from N6 billion to N10 billion and recorded returns of N260.646 million as at June 2025, and that the state currently prepares, presents and publishes annual financial statements in line with internationally accepted standards on fiscal transparency.
The commissioner noted that annual Public Financial Management assessments have been conducted, leading to staff and pensioner verification exercises and the implementation of a Treasury Single Account system, adding that over 2,000 ghost workers were identified during the verification process, creating room for fresh employment.
Bob recalled that the government carried out audits across ministries, departments and agencies to ensure value for money and trained personnel on sustainable procurement procedures, even as it also publishes annual Debt Sustainability Analysis reports and quarterly debt profiles to meet donor partnership eligibility criteria.
He recalled that the state secured a $3.585 million dollar drawdown under the State Action for Business Enabling Reform programme and 500,000 euros under the NEWMAP initiative for erosion and flood control projects.
The finance boss further recalled that N321.8 million was disbursed as staff housing loans to 212 civil servants, and has also repaid 3.174 billion dollars out of $7.805 million dollars owed under the Afrexim credit facility to Ibom Power, with repayments continuing on a quarterly basis.
Bob explained that government maintains over 85 per cent budget performance by executing only approved programme, even as it has strengthened citizens’ participation in the 2025 and 2026 budgets, which was largely driven by projects nominated by residents.
On the Treasury Single Accounting(TSA), system, Bob said full implementation of the account ensures that all internally generated revenue from ministries and institutions are channelled through the AkwaRemit platform into the state’s consolidated account, noting that the reforms have repositioned the state’s financial system to support the administration’s ARISE Agenda and other development priorities.
On the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, noted that the AkwaRemit platform has significantly enhanced revenue transparency and accountability across Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs), adding that the digital reform was complemented by other technology-driven initiatives, including the Public Servants Verification Portal, which he acknowledged , has strengthened data integrity and payroll efficiency.
Ekpenyong announced the approval of the ARISE Tech Talent Accelerator Programme, by the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, explaining that the programme is a structured digital skills initiative to be hosted at the Akwa Ibom Youth Development Hub, currently under construction by the State government.
According to him, selected trainees will receive comprehensive training and support to sit for globally recognised, industry-standard certification examinations aligned with their chosen technology fields, and that proposed trainees would be selected via the portal.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, highlighted interventions targeting vulnerable groups, mentioning the completion and handing over of 335 Compassionate Homes to needy families, distribution of monthly support grants and N50,000 unemployment benefits to youths; training of over 10,000 young people and SMEs, asbwell as programmes supporting women’s economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Ekerete Udoh, while setting the tone for the briefing, urged journalists to remain active participants in the exercise, describing governor Umo Eno as one of the most media-friendly governors in Nigeria, and assured that the briefing would remain a continuous engagement platform.

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