...says payment of more than N3b gratuity to LG workers in 1 year is uncommon
Priscilla Akpanettot
The Akwa Ibom State President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Anestina Iweh has assured Governor Umo Eno of the support of Local Government workers in the State should he desire a second term in office as Governor.
The State President said this on Friday, September 9, 2024 at a press briefing held in her office to acquaint newsmen of activities for the 2024 Local Government Week, beginning on Sunday 15th through Thursday 19th September, 2024.
The event, according to Comrade Iweh will be kick-started with a Thanksgiving Service at Insight Bible Church, Uyo on Sunday, to thank God extensively for using Governor Umo Eno to solve their problems.
The Union Leader who narrated the Governor's numerous intervention in the affairs of Local Government workers said Pst. Umo Eno was an answer to many of their prayers.
"More than N3b have been released so far for payment of gratuity to Local Government workers. We in the Union have received these monies and we can't thank the Governor enough".
"Governor Umo Eno paid the 2020/2021 Leave Grants to workers in the 31 Local Government the same month he was sworn into office. And he did this in a single day".
"In December 2023, he paid 3 months extra salary to workers in the mainstream Civil Service and to us in the Local Government".
"In March 2024, arrears of salaries for 4 months were paid to workers in the affected Nine Local Government Areas of the State".
"In June, Leave Grants of 2012/2013 was paid and that of 2014 which is over N5.90 million is ongoing.
Meanwhile, gratuity to Local Government workers has also been paid up to 2011 so far".
For these reasons, Iweh stated that the Governor was deserving of a second term vote from the NULGE.
She stressed that Governor Umo Eno's commitment to the plight of Local Government workers has brought hope both to those who recently retired and those who would soon retire, as they would no longer wait for up to 10 years or more to get their entitlements.
While observing that allocations to Local Government Councils have also increased significantly since the inception of the present administration, she noted that Transition Committee Chairpersons are now doing in 1 year, what elected Council Chairpersons could not do in 3 Years, courtesy of the Governor's intervention.
"For these reasons and more, we will be thanking God on Sunday for giving Governor Umo Eno to us as a gift", she said and called on members of the public to join them in thanksgiving on Sunday by 10:00am.
She informed that the Thanksgiving Service will be followed by a carnival float on Tuesday, September 17, to the Government House in Uyo, where they will thank the Governor face-to-face for his generous kindness upon them.
This will be preceded by a novelty football match at Uyo Township Stadium on Monday, September 16, between Local Government Chairmen and the NULGE by 3:00pm.
By 9:00am on Wednesday, the 18th of September; a Symposium on Local Government Autonomy will be held at Helemah Event Centre, Uyo, on the theme: "Local Government Administration: Strengthening Grassroots Participation and Inclusivity in Governance", for Local Government Chairpersons, Local Government Service Heads, Payroll Officers, Cashiers and key officers in the Local Government administration.
To end the Week, a Convocation of the General Assembly, Cultural Parade and Fundraising for the building of a spacious meeting place for the Union will be held at Unity Park, Udoudoma by 10:00am on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
The President called on relevant Unions in the Local Government to attend the event, saying it was needful to foster solidarity and togetherness.
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