Akwa Ibom State agovernor Pastor Umo Eno has approved another N2b for payment of gratuities to retired civil servants and also declared first and third Fridays of every month as farm days in the state.
Eno disclosed that over N16b has been disbursed for payment of gratuities to retired civil servants adding that more will be done in future.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank you and pledge that we will continue to do our best to ensure that our workers welfare receives priority attention. Today I believe we have fulfilled some of those promises we made and others that you have raised today we will look into them.
“Today permit me to mention that we have disbursed about N16.1billion for payment of gratuities of retired civil servants, Primary School teachers and local government workers.
Eno while addressing workers to mark 2024 Workers Day at Uyo Township stadium on Wednesday insisted that the two work free days in the month would enable all the workers including government officials to go to their farms.
“A people that cannot feed themselves cannot boast of anything. We must return to the farm. And to ensure that all the workers in Akwa Ibom would cultivate a farm, I hereby declare the first and third Fridays of every month Farm day in Akwa Ibom state.
“We will not attend burial on the two Fridays. All of us will go to our farms, starting from the governor, the deputy governor and EXCO members, House of Assembly members”.
He appreciated workers for the cooperation accorded his administration assured them that he would continue to give priority attention to their welfare.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank you and pledge that we will continue to do our best to ensure that our workers welfare receives priority attention. Today I believe we have fulfilled some of those promises we made and others that you have raised today we will look into them.”
The governor assured workers that the state is waiting for federal government as they would negotiate with workers in the state for new minimum wage.
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” On the issue of new minimum wage we will wait for the federal government; we will key into it and come to terms with the minimum wage for Akwa Ibom workers. On this day I would like to thank you and pray that God will continue to strengthen you our workers.
Eno announced that he will soon visit local government councils in the state to inspect farms which he earlier instructed council chairmen to cultivate.
He said government will continue to monitor, audit the payment of gratuities to ensure the money gets to the right owners.
“We will continue to monitor, audit these payments, and be sure that the payments go to the right people, please Labour keep us informed where you noticed things are not going in the right direction. As you fought for their right it is part of your duty to protect their right also.
“We have approved and granted the release of the outstanding 7.5percent Contributory Pension. We have increased pensions for retirees that retired before 2012. We have invested in affordable housing units for our workers. We have approved your land allocation and you can start your project at any given time.
“We have directed the compilation of Casual workers in the state. If we have succeeded it is because we have the cooperation of all our workers and we will continue our best to make you happy. And all other requests you have made today we have taken note of them” he said.
