Payment of gratuity in A’Ibom not by favouritism – Gov aide

Retired workers of all categories in Akwa Ibom State, who have carefully fulfilled all required documentations, are not required to undergo any further procedure before receiving their retirement benefits.

This is because gratuities are paid to retired workers and civil servants in the state on the basis of ‘first come first served,’ and not favoritism.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Akwa Ibọn State on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a live radio interview on XL 106.9FM, Uyo.

Recall that the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, in keeping to his campaign promise, recently released another N2.7 billion for payment of gratuities to retired workers and leave grants for primary school teachers.

The recent release means that Governor Eno, in nine months, has paid a total of N14.7 billion to retired workers in the state.

The SSA, who described the disbursement at a time of harsh economic realities, as a welcome development, added that the governor’s action is another justification that government is a continuum.

He said the governor was naturally inclined to catering for workers and needed no prompting, hence his decision to always set aside money every month for arrears.

On the rumours that the previous administration was not faithful to the payment of gratuities, Ndueso described the assertion as false, maintaining that the previous administration which paid pensions till its tenure expired, also made remarkable efforts in clearing backlogs of gratuities.

He said, “When Mr Udom Emmanuel assumed office in 2015, one of his first actions was the clearing of 10-year arrears of gratuity between 2001 and 2011 for local government workers and primary school teachers.

“Governor Eno is fulfilling his pledge to continue from where his predecessor stopped.”

Reiterating that the recent releases of funds for payment of gratuities by Governor Eno is evidence that government is a continuum; Ndueso said God has been faithful in blessing Akwa Ibom State with a people-centric leadership.

The communication expert, while also dismissing allegations of selective payment of gratuities, admonished all retired workers to remain calm as the disbursement of funds released for gratuities are done in sequence.

He, however, said the Governor Eno-led government is always open to feedbacks on the disbursement processes by the relevant departments.

He enthused, “No one needs to go and lobby to be considered, because the process of payments is clear and systematic.

“The payments for retired local government workers is handled by the Local Government Pensions Board, while the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, and a special committee comprising stakeholders like retired teachers, government officials, is saddled with payments for retired teachers.”

He maintained that since there is transparency in the process, those who retired later cannot expect to be paid before their older colleagues.