The Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has reassured the Akwa Ibom Local Government Employees of his administration’s unwavering commitment to resolving all outstanding and critical issues affecting them.
Governor Eno gave the assurance at the grand finale of the 2024 Local Government Workers’ Week Celebration, on Thursday 19th September, 2024, in Uyo, the State capital.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, congratulated the state leadership and members of the Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for the successful hosting of the 2024 Local Government Workers Week Celebration, while acknowledging the positive synergy between his administration and NULGE.
He emphasized the importance of grassroot development and noted that his government has fulfilled many of the promises made during his campaign, which included the payment of Salary, Leave Grant, Gratuity Arrears, and rolling out humanitarian initiatives to alleviate economic hardships.
The State Chief Executive maintained “Governance in my opinion should start from bottom, grassroots level, and up being the urban and the elites level, and that’s what we have been doing in the last one year plus, since my inauguration.”
“When I visited you in the course of my electioneering campaigns last year, I had made a number of promises. Today as you have kindly attested to, we have fulfilled almost all the promises and even more,” he said.
Governor Eno further highlighted, “I feel the pains and anxieties of our workers, both retired and active, and that’s why we have rolled out palliatives and other humanitarian initiatives to cushion the effect of the harsh economic environment”.
“As we speak today, our bulk purchase trucks are going round the Local Governments. We’ve done two Local Governments already,” he added.
He appreciated NULGE for the glowing tributes for his administration’s dedication towards their welfare and the State.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State President of (NULGE), Comrade Mrs. Anestina Iweh deeply appreciated Governor Umo Eno, for changing the story of Local Government Workers in Akwa Ibom State in just one year.
Describing Governor Umo Eno as “The Workers’ most friendly Governor”, Comrade Iweh expressed happiness to the state Governor, for paying the five-year Arrears of Leave Grant, two years Salary Arrears to workers in nine Local Government Councils, Gratuity for 2013, 2014, and 2015, and many other laudable activities in her words, “Paying the debts he did not owe”
She guaranteed the State Governor of the Local Government Workers full support to his administration.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Head of Akwa Ibom State Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, felicitated the Anestina Iweh’s led NULGE for the successful hosting of the 2024 Local Government Workers’ Week and for celebrating the Governor for his remarkable achievements. He also urged the Staff of the unified local Government Service to be more committed in their assigned duties to reciprocate the benevolence of His Excellency, the Governor to enable him to actualize his Arise Agenda for the State.
The Chairman on the occasion, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan in his speech, highlighted that this was one of the few outings in the life of the labour movement in Nigeria, that appeals and complaints were not made, adding that the 2024 Local Government Workers’ Week Celebration was more of a thanksgiving.
Rt. Hon. Akpan urged all Local Government Workers to seize the opportunity to re-access themselves as a working population, by partnering with the State Governor to interpret the dreams and visions of the present administration.
Also addressing the State Local Government Workers, the President General of NULGE, Comrade Ambali Olatunji, charged them to be patriotic, disciplined, and dedicated to their duties, adding that a vibrant, purposeful, people-driven Local Government is a veritable tool of grassroot emancipation and development.
Hon. Monday Eyo, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Akwa Ibom State, in his speech, encouraged the State Local Government Workers to keep on offering their best services diligently in order to justify their wages.
Highlights of the event was a beautiful cultural parade by the 31 Local Government Councils, fundraising for the completion of the State NULGE auditorium, presentation of Awards, and goodwill messages by the State and Local Chapter Presidents of NULGE. The theme for this year’s Workers’ Week was LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION: STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATION AND INCLUSIVITY IN GOVERNANCE
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