Akwa Ibom state Governor Pastor Umo who has announced that he has approved the sum of one Billion naira for the payment of gratuities to the retired primary school teachers.
Governor Eno who made the announcement when he addressed the organized labour in the state who were on a peaceful protest over the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the people, also announced that the sum of 800 million naira has been approved to clear the backlog of leave grants owed the workers, stressing that moving forward he has also approved that leave grants be paid alongside with salaries to avoid unnecessary accumulation of entitlements.
On the issue of the protest, the Governor assured the workers that in 10 days, a committee will be set up for the disbursement of palliatives sent by the federal government, including that of the state Government to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the people.
He used the occasion to thank the people for the support he received during the recently concluded elections and pledged his commitment to the welfare of the workers.
Earlier the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Union-NLC, comrade Sunny James had said the workers were protesting against what they described as the “anti-people” policies of the President Bola Tinubu led federal government. He stressed that there was need for the state government to meet with the federal government to find out the beneficiaries of the monies recovered from the subsidy removal and ensure that the palliatives released by the federal government, trickles down to all the states of the federation. He commended Governor Eno on his worker’s friendly disposition and expressed confidence in his leadership style.
Government House correspondent Jane Uwa reports that also speaking the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Dominic Abang equally commended the Governor for his reception and expression of willingness to address the needs of the workers.