AKSG CLEARS BACKLOG OF GRATUITIES TO RETIRED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, NEXT OF KIN

…a total of 5,296 retired primary school teachers, 1,838 next of kin to receive payment – HOS

By Anietie Essia, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Government has stated that the administration of His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel is very passionate and committed towards the welfare of both retired and serving workers in the state.

The assurance was given on Thursday by Elder Effiong Essien, The Head of Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State during an interview session on the Programme Akwa Ibom Mandate on Planet 101.1 FM,Uyo.

Elder Essien stated that even against the slim resources available due to the economic meltdown in the country caused by the dreaded Covid-19 virus, the state government is poised towards fulfilling her promise to clear and commence payment of gratuities to retired primary school teachers, next of kin and other beneficiaries most particularly those civil service workers who are now vulnerables after undergoing a verification exercise and subsequently approved by the state government.

He said that the state government has approved the payment of this entitlements to 5,296 retired primary school teachers, 1,838 next of kin in the state from 1990 to 2000 which will be paid on batches.

“The payment of this entitlements commenced on Monday, we are hoping to clear the backlogs of the gratuities from 1976 to date. Those who successfully scaled through the verification exercise have received their payment.

“Currently, we have paid 97 next of kin, 67 living retired primary school teachers and 11 volunarables whose both physical and health condition was very pitiable. This payment will be done in batches till we successfully carry out the payment to all beneficiaries”. He said.

The head of Service also commended His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel for being passionate and resolute in his leadership role which he described as a workers friendly Governor who pays premium attention to the welfare of the workers and having their interest at heart and most particularly restoring lingering solar electricity in Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat Complex.

He dismissed the purported protest carried out by unknown set of next of kin which took place on Monday describing it as illegal, unlawful and unrecognized by professional workers body like the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerian Union of Pensioners respectively while urging those involved to desist from such unscrupulous act as it’s detrimental to the growth and development of the state and that of the workers.