Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has sanctioned the release of N2 billion for the settlement of April’s gratuities.
During the May Day celebration in Uyo on Wednesday, Eno made the announcement to the workers.
He revealed that the state has distributed approximately N16.1 billion for gratuity payments to its retired civil servants thus far.
“Every month, we allocate funds for our retirees’ gratuities. For the month of April, I have sanctioned an additional N2 billion,” he stated.
The governor assured that once the Federal Government approves the national minimum wage, it will be implemented for the state’s workers.
“We are awaiting the finalization and approval of the process. The new minimum wage will be paid to our workers,” he affirmed.
He also mentioned that the Akwa Ibom government plans to hire more healthcare professionals to enhance service delivery in the health sector.
Eno committed to prioritizing the welfare of workers during his administration.
“I encourage the state’s workers to align with our government’s development agenda for the benefit of our people,” he urged.
Previously, Sunny James, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), appealed to the governor to enforce the national minimum wage in the state.
He called on all levels of government to mitigate the impact of the prevailing economic challenges on citizens.
James also suggested that Eno should provide transportation for civil servants to ease their commuting challenges.
Additionally, Trade Union Congress Chairman, Dominic Abang, pressed the governor to address pension administration fraud in the state.
Abang further advocated for the expansion of the state’s social register to include more individuals, ensuring a broader distribution of free food items.
