By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that his administration intervened by paying N11B out of the N18B arrears of gratuities owed Local Government retirees inherited from previous administrations in the state.
This is even as he has said that the Multi Billion Naira State Worship Centre would be inaugurated and would host his administration’s valedictory thanksgiving service a day to the end of his tenure.
Emmanuel who announced this yesterday during the new month Government House Covenant Service in Uyo maintained that he would not leave behind unpaid workers’ salaries and pensions despite witnessing two major economic recessions and the outbreak of Covid-19 which ravaged the world.
“I have not owed any pensioner, I am leaving here today not owing one naira pension. The issue of gratuity I have explained over time came up because of how the contributory pension scheme was managed.
“We made contributions, a lot of money then were refunded, what would have been done was to reinvest that money in order to pay back, but i met about N18 billion unpaid gratuity and there is nothing I could have done with two recessions and Covid-19 to recover that amount.
“Even the ones we paid to Primary Schools and Local Government is not in my budget, it is the third tier responsibility of the Local Government. As at today we have intervened with over 11 billion naira on gratuities.” The Governor explained.
He maintained that the International Worship Center despite negative insinuations from some quarters remained an altar and a place of prayers built unto God by Akwa Ibom people to speak positivity into the lives of the people as well as growth and development of the state.
Emmanuel expressed appreciation to God for the peace enjoyed in the state and lauded Heads of security agencies in the state for working tirelessly to maintain peace which he described as the fulcrum of development and had given investors reasons to settle in the state .
” I have made an announcement that I will have a valedictory thanksgiving service on the 28th of May at the International Worship Center.
“People see the International Worship Center as a building, but I see it as an altar we are setting up to speak positivity over this land.” He said.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Center, Abuja, Dr. Paul Enenche, who delivered a sermon on the topic “Season of Appreciation and Reflection”, said that at the conclusion of every endeavour or project there is need for appreciation and reflection, adding that the focus of appreciation is for help and mercy.
