The dire state of health mostly in the rural areas has compelled Akwa Ibom State Government to have formally declared a State of Emergency on the health sector.
Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, who briefed Government House reporters after the weekly State Executive Council on Friday, said this was to accelerate reforms and further deliver efficient healthcare services in line with the ARISE agenda of the administration.
Umanah explained that the, “key directives under this emergency regime include further upgrade of medical facilities across the State, reopening of the recruitment portal and engagement of 2,000 healthcare workers, with the voters identity card number requirement waived for applicants.”
According to him, the Executive Council presided over by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno,PhD, “further directed the upgrading of health training institutions, enrollment and training of health professionals, as well as the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on contract basis“.
”Council also undertook a comprehensive review of the State’s healthcare development roadmap, after which His Excellency the Governor declared a State of Emergency on the Health Sector to accelerate reforms and deliver efficient healthcare services.
”Key directives under this emergency regime include further upgrade of medical facilities across the State, reopening of the recruitment portal and engagement of 2,000 healthcare workers, with the VIN requirement waived for applicants.
”Council further directed the upgrading of health training institutions, enrollment and training of health professionals, as well as the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on contract basis. To ensure effective implementation of the emergency regime, an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee was constituted.”
Membership of the committee includes:
- Dr Ekem Emmanuel John- HC, Health – (Chairman)
- Dr Frank Ekpenyong, HC, Science & Digital Economy
- Dr Aniekan Umanah- HC, information
- Elder Effiong Essien- Head of the Civil Service
- Dr Linus Nkan- HC, Budget & Economic Development
- Dr Ekerette Ekanem, HC Youth Development
- Prof Ubong Umoh, HC Education
- Hon. Ikoedem Ekong- HC, Labour & Manpower planning
- Hon Mrs Inibehe Silas, HC, Women Affairs & Social Welfare
- Rt. Hon Udo Kerian Akpan, SA, Labour
- Dr Usenobong Morgan- PPG/SSA Medicals
- Dr Pat Essiet- PS, Health
The State Government also announced the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, with membership drawn from relevant ministries and agencies, to ensure prompt and efficient implementation of the emergency measures.
The Exco also proposed a supplementary bill of ₦695 billion, raising the total budget size of 2025 to ₦1.65 trillion, comprising ₦125,664,328,180 for Recurrent Expenditure and ₦569,335,671,820 for Capital Expenditure.
In line with the need to realign priorities and provide for emerging expenditures in government projects and programmes, Council considered a memorandum from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for a 2025 Supplementary Budget Estimate and approved an augmentation to the sum of ₦695 billion.
With this approval, the total budget size for 2025 now stands at ₦1.65 trillion, comprising ₦125,664,328,180 for Recurrent Expenditure and ₦569,335,671,820 for Capital Expenditure, incorporated into the original appropriation of ₦955 billion.
Council also approved the amendment of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Law of Akwa Ibom State, raising it from ₦980 billion to ₦1.7 trillion. The supplementary budget is expected to provide for the implementation of the new minimum wage and personnel emoluments, allowances for NYSC members serving in the State and Akwa Ibom NYSC members serving outside the State, emergency flood and erosion control, completion of ongoing projects affected by inflation, construction of new infrastructure across the State, purchase of Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses, funding for newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Services and the Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives, the Tree Crop Revolution programme, construction of new housing estates, renovation of the House of Assembly complex, capital provisions for the acquisition of new aircraft, and the development of the ARISE Shopping City.
