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.

10years? Thats a miracle.

what a move worthy of emulating.it shuld nt bnews anyway bt what do u xpect frm a country like nigeria.good one gov.

NGWERE UKWU ORJI WILL NOT LIKE THIS NEWS

Nice gesture , worthy of emulation..

Magic of bail out fund from the federal government.

OK
wetin consignmen

PDP supporters won't say it's bcuz of election but if it is Buhari they will say "Nonsense" "election strategy" bla bla bla.
What we need is good governance.
Nice move Gov Udom
As for Atiku? God Forbid him coming closer to Aso Rock.
Once a Criminal is always a Criminal.
We will only vote for candidates that remember the masses not the ones that will privatise Public Assets, buy our assets with public funds and claim they provided jobs. Rubbish Criminals.

Please who can help us in abia state pension?

Nice one from governor of Akwa ibom state.

Udoh clearing Akpabio's mess.


Governor dey pass governor
Ayaya
Udom pass Akpabio
Ayaya

This is great.

Udom is working
Second tenure over sure pass