AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO THE WELFARE OF CIVIL SERVANTS - ACCOUNTANT GENERAL

The Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien has again spoken of the commitment of the Government of Akwa Ibom State to ensuring that staff welfare takes the centre stage of his administration.

The Accountant General stated this when he received a delegation of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria Akwa Ibom State branch and the youth wing of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State chapter who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday.

Pastor Uwem Andrew-Essien hinted that the State Government has paid pensioners up to date while October 2015 gratuity has also been paid and called on those who retired in October 2015 to visit appropriate quarters to get their gratuity adding that names of the affected retirees have been published at the Accountant Generals Office.

He pleaded with retirees who are yet to get their gratuity to exercise patience as the gratuity would be paid in batches in view of the huge amount involved.

The Accountant General told the Union members that since his assumption of office, salaries have been paid as at when due.

He thanked the labour Union for the support extended to the Governor and sued for more to enable the Governor provide more dividends of Democracy to the people of the State.

Earlier, the chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants, Akwa Ibom State Branch, Comrade Sam Umiom expressed worry over what he called revenue leakage in some MDAs and appealed to the Accountant General to step into the matter.

In his remarks, the president Nigeria Labour Congress Youth Wing, Akwa Ibom State Council Comrade Joseph John lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel on the prompt-payment of salaries, granting car loan facilities to workers, and payment of pension to retirees and however appealed for the release and payment of 7.5 percent contributory pension refund to workers who are yet to receive theirs.

Comrade John sued for the Accountant Generals support to enable the Union host its 2nd biennial youth summit coming up later in the year.

The chairman Trade Union Congress, and Secretary, Association of Senior Civil Servants, Comrade Akamba Awah pledged the support of the Union to Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration.