A’IBOM GOVT CLEARS HICCUPS IN THE SETTLEMENT OF WORKERS ENTITLEMENTS

A’IBOM GOVT CLEARS HICCUPS IN THE SETTLEMENT OF WORKERS ENTITLEMENTS
Akwa Ibom State Government has said that modalities have been evolved to ease Pension payment and gratuities to retiring personnel in the state Civil Service.
The Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan stated this during an interaction with Government House correspondents shortly after a meeting with the State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Leadership of the State Council of the Nigerian Labour Congress (N.L.C) led by the Labour Union Leader Comrade Etim Ukpong, at Government House, Uyo .
Mrs. Akpan said that workers welfare was topmost on the agenda of the present administration and disclosed that most of the ten thousand two hundred and fifty two workers recently promoted are due for another promotion and would be paid on their new grade levels.
She remarked that the present economic realities have compelled government to put aside payment of arrears of promotion to workers until the economy improves and assured that wages and other remuneration would be paid as at when due.
The Head of Civil Service said the meeting offered an opportunity for deliberation on all the grievances raised by labour and particularly mentioned the issue bothering on the recruitment of teachers explaining that the exercise did not follow due process and that government is awaiting the submission of the report by the Committee set up to review the exercise.
While calling on workers to cooperate with government as partners, she pointed out that some states are owing salaries while others are contemplating downsizing of it work force as a way of adjusting to the realities of the times and commended Governor Emmanuel for living up to his promises of sustaining a viable work force by ensuring that workers welfare is given priority attention.
She noted that much is expected of the workers whom she described as the engine room of government in the realisation of superior performance for the overall development of the state.