… as beneficiaries reaffirm unwavering loyalty to his administration
To underscore his visionary and pragmatic leadership strides tilted towards ensuring a people-centric governance, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has presented cheques of severance benefits to the immediate past elected officers across the 31 Local Government Councils in the State.
Presenting the cheques during an interactive session at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs grounds, Government House, Uyo, Governor Eno hinted that the payment is for the immediate past elected Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Councillors of all the Local Government Councils who served within the 2020 and 2023 political dispensation.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Governor noted that the gesture is in fulfillment of his electioneering campaign promise to the grassroot politicians for their selflessness, support and loyalty.
He appreciated their sacrifices during the electioneering campaigns, attributing his emergence as Governor to their unwavering commitment, loyalty and support as grassroot mobilizers of their respective wards and local Government Areas.
The Governor therefore commended the former elected officers for their excellent services and contributions to State’s development and urged them to remain committed and steadfast in their support to his administration.
He told them that his administration has set up modalities to fast track the alignment of all past leaders towards ensuring that they are rewarded accordingly for their sacrifices in terms of contracts and business patronage, urging them to keep themselves abreast of the ARISE Portal programming to enable them bid and secure advertised jobs and projects.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Frank Archibong, appreciated the Governor for what he termed transparent, inclusive and selfless leadership style, describing it as unprecedented in the political evolution of the State.
Archibong thanked the Governor for proving himself as a man of integrity by keeping to his words having fulfilled his campaign promises to the people as examplified on his timely payment of the severance benefit to the past elected local Government officers.
He enjoined beneficiaries to reciprocate the good gesture by not sitting on the fence but to actively participate in the development process of the Arise Agenda, stressing that their good deeds would bear good fruits and also speak for them positively.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and the immediate past Chairman of ALGON, Hon Iniobong Robson, extolled Governor Umo Eno for the speedy release of funds to clear off the severance packages, the fastest so far, praying God to bless the Governor.
On his part, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON) Akwa Ibom chapter, Dr Uwenedimo Udo, appreciated Governor Umo Eno for keeping his promise and for giving Algon members a pride of place in his administration through appointments as Commissioners, Chairmen of Boards, members, Special Assistants, etc.
He pledged unalloyed loyalty to the Governor, and to support him every step of the way.
A beneficiary and former Councillor of Ward 7 in Uyo LGA, Honourable Hillary Augustine Udi, expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his remarkable leadership quality, describing him as an honest and compassionate leader whose words are sacred bond and seal of integrity, pledging that they will continually be loyal and supportive to him irrespective of his political inclination.
Another beneficiary, the immediate past Vice Chairman, Itu LGA, Hon. Emem Ekpanya, commended the Governor for being an exceptional leader and father whose words constitute his bond by effortlessly fulfilling his promise devoid of the usual struggles and fights experienced in the past and on behalf of the beneficiaries pledged their unwavering loyalty to the Governor, wishing him a smooth tenure of office.
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