By Press Release
Akwa Ibom Local Government Service Commission has disclaimed news story by a local tabloid, alleging that the commission was extorting money from staffers of the Unified Local Government Service in the state.
The Crest Newspaper of Monday, July 22, 2024, published news story on pages one and two that the commission was collecting N4,000 from staffers of the service before releasing their 2023 promotion letters.
The state Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Monday Eyo, renounced this Monday, while addressing participants during a two-day 2024 Pre-Promotion Seminar organised by the Local Government Service Commission, at the Multi-Purpose hall of the commission.
“Someone woke me up this morning and said that there is a publication in The Crest newspaper of today, saying that we are extorting money from our staff in the Local Government Councils. It’s not possible.
“A Committee was set up to plan and come up with the Annual Report for the Commission, headed by the Commissioner II, Elder (Otuekong) Emmanuel Ibiok as the Chairman of the Committee on Promotion and Placement, with other Commissioners as members, including the representative of the workers in that committee, which is the NULGE President in the State, just like what is obtainable in the State Civil Service Commission.
“An agreement was reached and approval was given for the production of the Annual Report Booklets and the price was fixed at N4,000 each. The money was meant for the purchase of the Annual Report and not for any other purpose. It is mandatory for all staff to buy a copy of the Annual Report, as part of the requirements for the promotion screening and interview. Please disregard such report, it is the handiwork of mischief makers,” he added.
The Chairman maintained that all monies collected from the Annual Report were paid into government-designated Revenue Account and were receipted for, saying that those who refused to buy a copy of the Annual Report were the ones complaining.
He used the occasion to thank Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for his impact so far felt by the Unified Local Government Service in terms of clearing of the outstanding backlog of 2023 Leave grants, arrears of salaries owed to various Local Government Councils Staff in the state, monthly release of money for payment of pensions and gratuities, as well as the approval for the conduct of the promotion exercise.
Mr. Eyo, a former legislator for Uyo State Constituency, acknowledged the cooperation and support to the commission, as demonstrated during the Senior Staff Management Committee Meetings, which took place across the 31 local government councils earlier this year, an exercise which screened all the short-listed Senior staffers are due promotion with effect from 1/1/2024.
He urged participants to be serious and participate effectively at all levels of the conversation while the seminar lasted, assuring that in as much as promotion was not an offer, the commission would only promote everyone, based on the laid-down administrative procedures, in which response to question was very key.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Commission, Mrs. Affiong Ebieme, had said she was happy to welcome dignitaries and participants at the event, which she affirmed was a yearly exercise.
Ebieme charged participants to avail themselves of the opportunity to learn in order to broaden their scope of knowledge in the Public Service of the state, as they prepare to be elevated to the next higher ranks.
Also speaking, the President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Anestina Iweh, joined the Chairman of Local Government Service Commission to condemn in strong terms.
She described the media report as malicious, which according to her, was lacking in merit, saying the issue of paying for the Annual Report was not a new thing in the Civil Service of Akwa Ibom State.
She urged the commission to ensure that officers who are due for promotion are allowed to attend promotion interviews, if only such officers present relevant requirements needed, including the Annual Report, to avoid any unwarranted mudslinging by some recalcitrant workers, who do not want to adhere to simple instruction in the service.
The Director of Administration/Supplies in the Commission, Dr. (Mrs) Rosalyn Essien, appreciated the Chairman, Commissioners, Permanent Secretary and the Directors for finding time to grace the event, which, according to her, was a flagship programme of the commission, wishing the participants a successful training exercise.
