Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has approved the release of an additional ₦2.3 billion for the payment of gratuities, bringing the total amount paid by his administration to nearly ₦80 billion since assuming office.
The release is in furtherance of the Governor’s commitment to clearing the gratuities backlog, a pledge he reiterated during the presentation of the 2026 Budget. On assumption of office on May 29, 2023, Governor Eno inherited a backlog of ₦111 billion in unpaid gratuities and other emoluments, dating back to 2012.
With the latest disbursement, the outstanding liability has now been reduced to approximately ₦31 billion, marking a significant milestone in the administration’s welfare-focused agenda.
Governor Eno had, during the 2023 electioneering campaigns, promised to regularly release funds to address the backlog, a commitment observers say he has pursued with consistency and resolve.
The payment of gratuities aligns with a core pillar of the administration’s policy thrust on social investment, reflecting its emphasis on compassion, inclusion, and support for the vulnerable. This philosophy was clearly articulated in the Governor’s inaugural address, where he pledged to be a voice and symbol of hope for the less privileged, drawing inspiration from his personal journey of resilience.
Nearly three years into his tenure, 335 ARISE Compassionate Homes have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries across the state, with the administration on course to deliver 500 units within its first term.
In addition, 50 elders receive a ₦50,000 monthly stipend on a rotational basis from all 368 wards through the ARISE Elderly Care Initiative, while over 10,000 vulnerable citizens have been enrolled in the ARISE Medical Insurance Scheme at no cost.
These interventions are being implemented alongside major investments in tourism, aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and power.
Analysts say the steady reduction of gratuity arrears and the breadth of social interventions underscore an administration intent on matching promises with action, a development that has continued to draw positive reactions from residents across the state.
By Chief Edet Isong