Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has paid 10 years gratuity and pensions arrears of
retired civil servants in the state.

Similarly, the State Government has commenced the compilation of names of civil servants who
retired in 2016, with a view to paying them. According to the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom
State, Pastor Uwem Andrew- Essien, payment is done in batches in view of the huge amount
involved.

This year alone, the state government has also paid staff salary arrears to 1, 227 workers, pension
arrears to 4,304 pensioners as payment of all entitlements to civil servants, both serving and
retired. The accountant general said payment of pension and gratuity would continue to remain a
priority of the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration as a demonstration of its
commitment to the well-being of the people of the state.

Recall that the governor was elected in 2015 and inherited the debt burden of pensions and
gratuity, with some of the workers meant to be paid by the local governments they worked for.
Commenting on the development, Tom Iyang said the governor deserved commendation for
paying pensioners money owed them by his predecessor.

“In Nigeria of today, paying workers’ salaries has become what some state governments consider
as an achievement. Though this sounds weird, it is understandable considering that some states
owe over 36 months salaries. Even the release of the Paris Club refund to states for the purpose
of settling workers’ debts, have not really solved the problem.

“If in the midst of this, Emmanuel, has not only paid salaries regularly but paid the backlog of
pension and gratuity debts he inherited from his predecessor, he deserves commendation.’’.

Speaking in Uyo, the state capital recently, Emmanuel said his administration took a decision to
pay all the arrears of gratuities and pensions inherited from the previous administration.

He said, “Many people don’t know the difference between different tiers of government. They
think the state government should be responsible for payment of gratuities and pensions for all
workers including local government staff. But, though the state is not directly responsible for the
debts, we have decided to pay everybody because the people worked for the overall well being of
Akwa Ibom State and they deserve to enjoy their pension and gratuity.’’

He explained that regular payment of workers’ salaries was not an issue in the state even when
the Federal Government failed to give the state the usual monthly allocation.