The Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Umana Okon Umana, has reassured public service employees in the state, of goernment's commitment to the payment of an extra one month salary as Christmas bonus. Umana stated this in his office while reacting to questions from journalists who wanted to know if the state government would pay the bonus as promised by the governor.
The SSG allayed the fears being expressed in some quarters that the government wants to renege on the promise. Describing the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, as a promise-keeper, Umana said the bonus would be paid in December to put smiles on the faces public service employees of Akwa Ibom State. He said that the governor has by his actions and utterances since he assumed office shown that he is a labour-friendly leader, out to ensure that the welfare of workers in the state is adequately catered for.
Mr Umana noted that the governor has remained very sensitive to the needs of workers in the state through the 100 per cent increase in the amount paid to civil servants as car loans, and the provision of civil service bus scheme to make transportation easy and affordable for civil servants. The governor, the SSG said has also facilitated the recruitment of additional 1000 workers of various cadres, including medical personnel into the state civil service. To ensure a confortable working environment, the government has released over N406m to ministries/extra ministerial departments, to equip and upgrade facilities in their offices. In addition, computers and accessories worth $1.5m have been provided to all government ministries and parastatals, to make them meet the technology-driven civil service of the governor's dream.
The SSG further noted the governor's zeal to enhance productivity through manpower development by sponsoring public service employees for training within and outside Nigeria, upgrading facilities at the civil service training centre, and the provision of a bus to the center. He said all these are pointers to governor's determination to reposition the state civil service for effective and professional service delivery.
Umana, therefore, urged public service employees in Akwa Ibom State to reciprocate the governor's numerous gestures, by re-dedicating themselves to loyal service and provide the necessary vehicle that would drive government machinery in the governor's avowed resolve to develop the state.