Governor Umo Eno has declared first and third Fridays of every month as Farm Days for farming activities in Akwa Ibom for workers and people to boost increased food production in the state.
‘‘I am therefore declaring the first and last Friday of every month Farm Days in the State. It won’t be a day for funerals. We will monitor to ensure everyone goes to the farm,’’ Eno said.
Reiterating his position on the food sufficiency programme as a palliative measure to give succour amid the biting economic situation, the governor urged workers to take advantage of the Farm Days to ensure sustainable food sufficiency, insisting that return to agriculture remains the best venture to guarantee self-sufficiency in food and other aspects of the economy.
While directing Commissioners, Transition Chairmen and other government appointees to return to their farms as he would be visiting for inspection, he was not explicit on declaring the days work free days.
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The Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive, who made the declaration while addressing workers in the state during the 2024 May Day at the Uyo Township Stadium, thanked Akwa Ibom workers for their support during the March 18, 2023 election and their cooperation to ease the running of his administration.
The Governor used the occasion to announce the approval of N2 billion for payment of gratuity to retired workers, bringing the total amount released so far to N18.1 billion since commencement of his administration.
“We will continue to do our best to ensure that workers’ welfare receives priority attention. As of today, we’ve disbursed over 16.1 billion Naira gratuities to our workers. Today, I am approving another N2 billion for payment of gratuities across board for the month of April.
‘‘We will continue to monitor this payment, we will continue to audit this payment, and we will continue to ensure that this payment gets to the right people,” the governor stated.
He further announced his approval of refunds of outstanding 7.5 per cent deductions from workers salary in the defunct contributory pension scheme as well as recruitment of health workers to complement government efforts in upgrading and providing new primary health-care facilities across the state.
“For the Bulk Purchase Agency, it is a short-term intervention. For a more sustainable solution, we must go back to the farm, working with the Ministry of Agriculture,” he added.
Affirming his administration’s investment in housing, he said, he said work was ongoing on the 3rd Ring Road to provide easy access to the affordable housing units for the workers in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
“We have approved your land allocations, and so you can begin your building at any time. We recently swore in Permanent Secretaries, and we would appoint more as some are soon to retire.
“Of course, the 13 months’ salary is ongoing. We have approved the recruitment of health workers in the State for the Primary health centres,” he added.
In response to an earlier request by Labour, the governor presented two vehicles to the chairmen of NLC and TUC.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James, had commended Governor Umo Eno for fulfilling his campaign promises to Akwa Ibom workers.
He stressed that organized labour is never quick at praising Governors but said that given the strides of Governor Eno in less than one year in office, he deserves a louder ovation.
James specifically appreciated the Governor for prompt payment of gratuities to retirees of the State, local government and primary school teachers; approvals for the refund of 7.5% contributory pension from workers and many other gestures which according to him are answers to prayers of Akwa Ibom workers.
Similarly, his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Dominic Abang, specially appreciated the governor for always putting the people of the State first in line with the theme of the celebration.
In their separate solidarity messages, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong; State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ekaete Obot represented by Hon Justice Aniekan Akpan; Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien; Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Aniefiok Nkom; and the State controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, congratulated the workers on their successful 2024 celebration and described the workers as pillars of social growth.
They commended Governor Umo Eno for prioritising the welfare of Akwa Ibom workers as well as retired ones through the 13th month salary, palliatives, and regular release of funds for payment of arrears of gratuity; and pledged to always support the governor in his efforts to do more for Akwa Ibom workers through the ARISE Agenda.
