N35bn Gratuity Arrears Will Be Paid This September, Gov Eno Assures
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has said that a total of 35 billion naira out of the backlog of gratuity arrears would have been paid to beneficiaries at the end of September since his assumption of office last year.
The Governor made the disclosure in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital during a meeting with the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, 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 utilize Government funds said projects embarked upon by his administration, including securing a N60B billion procurement deal for two Bombardier CRJ 900 aircrafts to further expand the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, has been done without obtaining any loan from external sources.
Reaffirming his administration’s resolve to utilize State revenue in the most efficient manner, 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 a prudent economy, Governor Eno explained that the State Government would be going round a vicious circle of perpetual indebtedness, to the advantage of its creditors, if it depends on loans or other external financial instruments to fund major investments and projects.
He therefore asserted that his administration will 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.About 25 more projects are to be kick-started between now and our second anniversary without borrowing.
