A’Ibom Govt. Set To Clear N35B Gratuity Arrears – Gov Eno

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has said that N35 billion out of the backlog of gratuity arrears would have been paid to beneficiaries at the end of September since he assumed office last year.

The Governor disclosed this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital during a meeting with the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, the foremost Ibibio socio-cultural Organization.

According to him, nearly 50% of the accumulated backlog of decades-long gratuity burden of retired workers in the State would be offset after a further release expected within the month.

The governor, who emphasised his administration’s determination to prudently utilise government funds, said projects embarked upon by his administration, including securing a N60 billion procurement deal for two Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft to further expand the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, have been done without obtaining any loans from external sources.

Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to utilise state revenue most efficiently to fund development projects and make profitable investments for the state devoid of financial facilities that would put the state in perpetual indebtedness, the governor said 25 projects will be kick-started and completed before the second anniversary of his administration, all without borrowing.

Justifying the need for a prudent economy, Governor Eno explained that the state government would be going around a vicious circle of perpetual indebtedness, to the advantage of its creditors, if it depended on loans or other external financial instruments to fund major investments and projects.

Related: Workers Protest: Governor Eno Approves N1.8B For Gratuities, Leave Grants

He therefore asserted that his administration would rather strive to reserve funds from revenues accruing to the state for such purposes that would place Akwa Ibom people as primary beneficiaries of dividends from state government investments.

In his words, “Since I came into office about fifteen months ago, we have undertaken very gigantic projects while still pursuing some more. About 25 projects are to be kick-started between now and when we will celebrate our second year in office.

“Recently, the executive council of the state approved that we support Ibom Air to acquire two brand new aircraft.
So I am very proud to announce to Mboho that we have released 60 billion Naira to Ibom Air to acquire two new CRJ900 aircraft from the state government coffers.

“Our state must have an investment fund. We must deliberately and intentionally put away funds to reinvest and put our state among the states that will continue to take the lead. If we were flittering away state funds, this state would not have afforded to purchase the new aircraft.”

Governor Eno thanked the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa James Edet, for galvanising support for his emergence as Governor and honouring him with the special gathering, as he commended the organisation’s pivotal role in uniting the various ethnic groups that make Akwa Ibom State, pledging to do his best to make the Mboho, by extension, entire Akwa Ibom proud as their ambassador.

Earlier in his address, the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa James Edet, expressed delight over the privilege of hosting “Governor (Akparawa) Umo Eno,” describing him as a quintessential Ibibio son and great ambassador of the Mboho, while also acknowledging his magnanimity in appointing several members of the organisation into his administration.

Akparawa James Edet affirmed that the Governor, through his administration’s ARISE Agenda, has touched the critical sectors of the state and has moved the state forward at an impressive pace of development.

He therefore conveyed the commitment of the Mboho to supporting Governor Umo Eno’s administration and their endorsement for his continuity in office into a second term.