Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State now have cause to rejoice as the State Governor, Umo Eno, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, approved an additional release of N6.44 billion for the payment of backlog of gratuities and other entitlements to retirees of the State.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, gave a breakdown of the payment is as follows: “N1,000,000,000 as payment of gratuities for retired primary school teachers (SUBEB); N500,000, 000 for the payment of gratuities of retired local government workers.

“N2,220,524,257.62 being the payment of gratuities, pension arrears, and enbloc for state retired civil service workers, N597,400,000.00 for the 2014 leave grant for local government workers.”

“…N2,115,000.000.00 representing the payment for leave grant for workers in the State Civil Service, bringing the total amount of funds released by Governor Eno in the months of July and August respectively to N6, 432,924, 257.62.”

The statement said the release of the above amount brings to over N28 billion that Governor Umo Eno has, so far, disbursed for the payments of gratuities and other entitlements since he assumed office a little over one year ago.

Reacting to the development, retirees in the state have expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for what they described as consistent releases of funds aimed at clearing off all backlog of arrears the previous administrations had left unpaid.

The retirees, who said the governor had shown sufficient determination and commitment to offset the arrears since his assumption of duties in May, 2023, added that the regular releases were a testimonial of his humanity towards the well -being of the senior citizens of the state.

Speaking with our correspondent in a telephone interview, one of the retirees, Chief Akpan Udo Odung, the village head of Uruk Uso in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, said Governor Eno had demonstrated love and passion for excellence, having made it paramount, the welfare of retirees of the state in his administration.

Chief Odung therefore, pledged the continued support of Akwa Ibom retirees, as well as the traditional institution to ensure that the governor delivers on his ARISE Agenda for the State.