By Dennis Udoma, Senior Correspondent, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State government has said, it inherited a whopping N32 billion as debts owed to pensioners in the state.
Governor Udom Emmanuel made the disclosure yesterday at an interaction with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
The governor, who was clearing speculations in the state said, though it was not the intention of his administration to delayed worker’s entitlement, government has paid significant part of gratuities to retirees, while pensions have also been cleared.
He further stated that, workers have been paid up-to-date and, challenged civil servants in the state, who have anything to the contrary to prove his claims adding that, it was his conviction to maintain a friendly working relationship with labour unions in the state.
On man-power development to boost wealth creation, Governor Emmanuel noted, his administration was doing a lot to develop the youth and women through skills training and empowerment programmes.
He disclosed that, state government has invested has retrained medical personnel in public health facilities especially, in emergency management, while hospitals in the state have been renovated and equipped with facilities to ensure prompt medical delivery on patients, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
He faulted media reports that, Akwa Ibom was highest in national HIV/AIDS survey with 5.5 percent prevalent, and schools drop outs saying that, the reports were false and malicious.
According to him, ‘‘how can a state that is running free and compulsory education from primary to secondary schools level for pupils and students in public schools, including the non-indigenes living in the state, pay regular subventions to school heads and pay over N600 million West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees annually have out of schools children?.
“What is upper most in my mind is making Akwa Ibom great’’ adding that, his administration has recorded giant strides in education, health, agriculture, works and aviation amongst others and urged journalists, to use their numerical strength to report the state.
While commending journalists in the state for their support during the electioneering campaigns, promised to partner with them in the development of the state.
