…TOTAL AMOUNT PAID TO DATE NOW N35 BILLION
Despite the pain of the loss of his dear Wife and First Lady, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has again shown that, his heart is with the people of the State.
In following through the assurances he gave during his State-Wide broadcast earlier this morning, that the machinery of government and governance will continue to move seamlessly, GovernorEno has approved the immediate release of the sum of 2.1 Billion Naira to further pay down the backlog of gratuities, thus bringing the total amount so far paid, to N35 billion, sixteen months after his inauguration.
The release of the funds has significantly cut down the backlog of gratuities and represents a fulfillment of his campaign promise to pay down backlog of gratuities if elected, a pledge he has been fulfilling regularly.
The breakdown of the latest payment is as follows:
N1.1 billion for retired State Civil Servants (Main), N500,000,000 for retired Primary School Teachers and N500,000,000 for retired Local Government Workers.
One of the defining elements of Pastor Umo Eno, has been his avowed commitment to the downtrodden and the most vulnerable, while also working to advance the growth of other segments of the society. He had, during his Inaugural Address promised to be their voice and champion-and so far, he is doing exactly that!
Today, over 100 thousand youths are being empowered through several schemes which he announced during the youth appreciation and engagement rally last month. Through the Arise Elderly Care Initiative, 600 thousand elders receive on a regular basis, 50 thousand Naira monthly for their upkeep. Through the Office of the First Lady, the Governor has also directed that, the 600 beneficiaries of this scheme, be enrolled for one year in the State’s Health Insurance Scheme.
The Arise Free Food Voucher Programme run by the Bulk Purchase Agency has gone a step further by directly providing food palliatives of rice, garri and beans to the people. The Governor, has bought two 40- thousand foot containers and three more are to be added for this exercise soon. The vulnerable people who have enjoyed this palliative are singing the praise of the Governor all over the State. The exercise is ongoing.
Last month, during the youth rally, Governor Eno, had increased the bursary of all Akwa Ibom students in public tertiary institutions from N10, 000 to N20,000 for undergraduate students and N10 to N30,000 for students studying professional courses like law, medicines, engineering, agriculture etc. Also, the N100 million Educational Grant for students living with disabilities is being disbursed- with N250 thousand for undergraduates and N300 thousand for post graduate students.
The N2 billion loan earlier given to traders, has been converted to a grant, alongside those of the Arewa, Yoruba, Igbo and Niger Delta indigenes resident in the State.
36 Arise Compassionate Homes- all fully furnished with steady electricity and water supply, have been given to beneficiaries across the wards in the State, while construction is ongoing on the remaining 164 units which would bring the total number of units to be given out, during the first two years as promised by the Governor, to 200. 400 units are expected to be given out during the first term of this administration.
Last month, during the State’s 37th Anniversary, there was excitement and joy when the 150 units of two bedroom homes ( Grace Homes Scheme) were given free to civil servants between the grade levels 1-8. Today, those civil servants are proud home owners, a clear testament to Governor Eno’s compassionate bonafides. Over 9 thousand Public Service Workers, were also enrolled for free medical insurance, during the launch of the State Health Insurance Scheme last month.
Governor Eno’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State as well as overall actions and initiatives that underpin his campaign promises have been phenomenal and endearing. He has done all these, while undertaking numerous audacious projects such as the Arise Park and other infrastructural, rural development, agricultural and other people-centric initiatives.
Ekerete Udoh
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
10/03/2024.