Akwa Ibom Government Highlights Pension Payments, Youth & Agriculture Reforms
By BASSEY BENSON
THE Akwa Ibom State Government says it has paid ₦83 billion out of the ₦111 billion gratuity backlog inherited by Governor Umo Eno’s administration, describing the achievement as one of the major milestones recorded under the governor’s ARISE Agenda.
The governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Venerable Richard Peters, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja. He said the administration remains committed to clearing the outstanding balance before the end of Governor Eno’s first term in office.
According to Peters, the government has prioritised the welfare of retired civil servants while simultaneously investing in programmes designed to stimulate economic growth and improve the standard of living of residents.
He said the administration has also released more than ₦6 billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs and farmers across the state. He added that thousands of youths have received vocational and digital skills training through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED) and the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre (DASAC), with beneficiaries receiving start-up grants of ₦750,000.
Peters noted that the recently inaugurated Youth Development Centre in Oron will serve as a model for similar facilities planned across the state’s 31 local government areas. The centres, he said, will focus on digital commerce, creative industries, fashion and entrepreneurship.
He also highlighted the government’s agricultural initiatives, including the launch of the Oil Palm Tree Crop Revolution and the establishment of an Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company to provide mechanised farming services at subsidised rates.
According to him, the state has distributed improved seedlings, farm equipment and ₦2 billion in agricultural grants while supporting the development of the Ibom Model Farm and local government demonstration farms to increase food production and reduce food prices.
Peters further stated that the administration approved ₦7.3 billion for women cooperative societies across the state’s 369 wards, with each ward receiving ₦20 million to strengthen women-owned businesses and community enterprises.
He added that the government is expanding access to potable water through solar-powered borehole projects implemented in partnership with the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
On infrastructure, Peters said the administration has completed or commenced about 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges, alongside rural roads, markets, model primary healthcare centres and modern primary schools spread across all local government areas.
He also said the government has sustained free and compulsory basic education, paid bursaries to tertiary students, supported state-owned tertiary institutions and upgraded the Akwa Ibom College of Education, Afaha Nsit, into a University of Education.
