GOV ENO REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO WORKERS’ WELFARE

In keeping with the strategic focus of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, Pastor Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, has reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare of workers. Speaking at the International Christian Worship Center in Uyo during the Thanksgiving service commemorating Public Service Week 2025, the Governor stated that it was vital and essential to do so since the civil service continues to be the backbone of the government.

The governor said he had spent “over N60 billion out of the N98 billion we inherited from past administrations dating back to 2012, and stand poised to liquidate the backlog as more funds become available.” Mr. Emem Bob, the State Commissioner for Finance, was with him.

The Governor congratulated the Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, and other State Civil Service workers on what he described as a very successful series of activities honoring Public Service Week in 2025.

According to the governor, this year’s celebration’s subject, “Leveraging Technology for a Smart and Agile Civil Service,” is appropriate and reflects his administration’s goal of creating a new civil service with a deliverable-only mentality. “We think that our civil service needs to use technology to keep up with the times and provide better services.

Therefore, I am really encouraged by the subject selection. “Since we took office a little more than two years ago, we have strategically and purposefully used technology to operate our government operations. We proceeded to establish the first independent ministry focused on the digital economy and science.

We established a number of portals to streamline government procedures and cut down on waste, including the Arise Employment Portal and the Verification Portals, which since their inception have identified and tracked over 2,000 ghost workers and an additional 3,000 people who were getting pensions falsely.”

In order to prevent people from receiving their pay from several sources, he said, the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy has also united the mainstream Civil Service, placing the State, Primary School, and Local Government Sectors under a single budgetary supervision.
“This has made the system run efficiently and professionally and I want to thank the Head of Service again for ensuring strict compliance of this approach,” he said.

Governor Eno said he has approved the hiring of 3,000 new employees in the civil service as part of his campaign pledge to bring fresh talent to the field. He also encouraged potential candidates to apply via the State employment portal.

In addition to congratulating Barrister Victor Fabian of the Ministry of Justice and Ms. Itoro Ernest Udofia of the Ministry of Trade and Investment on their special promotion and financial benefits, he encouraged others to follow their example and continue to be even more committed to their duties.