In fulfillment of his promise to the Akwa Ibom people to continually pay down the backlog of gratuities, a fact he emphasized during the presentation of the 2026 Budget, Governor Umo Eno, PhD, has released an additional sum of N2.3 billion for the payment of gratuities.
With the release of this amount, Governor Eno has so far paid about N80 billion in gratuities and other emoluments since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
It will be recalled that on assumption of office, the Governor met a backlog of N111 billion in gratuities and other emoluments dating back to 2012.
Governor Eno had promised during the 2023 campaigns to regularly release funds to pay down the backlog, a promise he has been keeping with passion and intensity.
The payment of gratuities ties into a key focus of his administration, which is social investment and a commitment to compassionate and altruistic pursuits.
The Governor had made this point clear in his inaugural address, promising to be the voice and symbol of the vulnerable, drawing from his life story of triumph over adversity.
Today, nearly three years after coming into office, 335 ARISE Compassionate Homes have been built and handed over to beneficiaries, and he remains on track to fulfill the promise of building and delivering 500 units in his first term in office.
Fifty elders continue to receive N50,000 monthly support on a rotational basis drawn from all 369 wards in the state through the ARISE Elderly Care Initiative, alongside over 10,000 of the most vulnerable who have been enrolled in the ARISE Medical Insurance Scheme free of charge.
He is doing all these while still executing audacious projects that cut across tourism, aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, education, power, among others.
Governor Eno is indeed walking the talk. The people are happy, and it can only get better.
