Akwa Ibom government is to commence payment of gratuities to retired Primary School teachers and next-of-kin of deceased teachers as soon as the on-going verification is over
The Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, stated this when he visited the Universal Basic Education Arena, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo, venue of the verification.
He said payment of gratuities to retired Primary School Teachers will be a continuous as funds for the first batch have been released.
The Head of Civil Service, who was conducted round the various verification clusters by the Chairman of the Verification Committee and Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, Elder Ezekiel Umoh, informed the retirees that the exercise was to ascertain the bona fide beneficiaries and group them for payment.
Elder Essien explained that to ensure a fool-proof and hitch-free verification, the relevant stakeholders including the State Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James, representatives of the Retired Primary School Teachers, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Accountant General’s Office, Office of the Head of Civil Service were drafted into the committee with the Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, Elder Ezekiel Umoh as Chairman.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Udom Emmanuel, for his concern for the welfare of the retired teachers by making funds available for the payment.
Elder Essien called for cooperation from the retirees to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Verification Committee, Elder Ezekiel Umoh, the State Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James and the representative of the retired Primary School Teachers, Reverend Felix Cookey thanked the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the decision to clear the backlog of gratuities of retired Primary School Teachers dating back to 1976.
They commended the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Ephraim Inyang, Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong for their efforts toward the success of the exercise.
In another development, the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien has commended members of Association of Heads of Federal Establishments in Akwa Ibom State for their services rendered in the state and the unity of purpose among them.
Elder Essien stated this when members of the Association led by their Chairman, Pastor EnoUyoh who is also the State Director of National Orientation Agency paid a courtesy visit on him in Uyo.
He charged them to work towards bridging the communication gap between the Federal and State Public Service.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, the Chairman, Pastor EnoUyoh, acknowledged the enduring industrial harmony in the state which he attributed to the prompt payment of workers entitlements.
He commended the state Governor for prioritizing workers welfare in addition to other development strides.
The Association’s Chairman praised the Head of Civil Service for his recorded achievements in the state Public Service.
