Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has released a massive N4.755 billion package for the payment of gratuities, civil servants’ allowances, and scholarships to indigenes of the state
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, the funds will be used to pay gratuities to retired civil servants, wardrobe allowances to teachers, bonuses to public service workers, and scholarships to Akwa Ibom indigenes.
The breakdown of the funds includes N2.3 billion for the payment of gratuities for retired state civil servants, retired primary school teachers, and retired local government workers, N1.1 billion for wardrobe allowances, N1 billion for bonuses to civil servants.
The Governor has also released the sum of N79 million for the award of full scholarships for four Akwa Ibom indigenes who were recently granted admission to study the Standard Pilot Course and Standard Air Traffic Control Course at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
Additionally, N104 million has been released as the first tranche payment of the 2024 primary school teachers’ Leave Grant, and N172 million as a severance gratuity package for Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of local government councils who served from 2018-2022.
The largesse is seen as a fulfillment of Governor Eno’s campaign promises to prioritize the welfare of civil servants and traders in the state. The move is expected to bring joy to thousands of beneficiaries and boost the state’s economy.