RismadarVoice Reporters
September 15, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid more than N90 billion towards settling inherited gratuity liabilities owed to retired public servants, the state Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, has said.
Peters disclosed this on Monday in Uyo during a media parley marking the commencement of the 2026 Public Service Day celebration.
According to her, the payment represents a major intervention by Governor Umo Eno’s administration to improve workers’ welfare and strengthen the state’s public service.
She said the government inherited gratuity liabilities exceeding N111 billion, adding that efforts were ongoing to clear the outstanding balance progressively.
Peters also said the administration had maintained regular salary payments, implemented the N80,000 minimum wage from November 1, 2024, and sustained the 13th-month salary popularly known as “Eno-Mber.”
She explained that the 13th-month salary, introduced in 2023, provides public servants with additional financial support during the festive period.
On recruitment, the Head of Service said the Eno administration had recruited or approved the recruitment of approximately 7,069 personnel across various sectors.
She said the figure included about 4,000 general workers recruited by May 2026, 1,000 primary school teachers approved for recruitment, and 766 health workers and other critical personnel.
Peters said the recruitment drive was aimed at addressing manpower shortages, improving institutional capacity and enhancing service delivery across the state.
She added that 150 completed two-bedroom expandable houses under the Grace Estate initiative had been allocated free of charge to civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 08 through a transparent raffle process.
The Head of Service further disclosed that the state government had introduced the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme for civil servants, with the government fully paying premiums for junior workers.
Peters said the various interventions reflected the administration’s commitment to translating its policies into tangible improvements in the welfare of workers and residents of the state.
