2020 Budget Defense: AG Gives Clarity On Grants, Gratuity Payment

The Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State,  Pst. Uwem Andrew Essien has informed the members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation that the State Government has paid 90% of leave grant for 2019 in  various Ministries.

The Accountant General while making the above assertion while defending the 2020 budget estimates among other Ministries noted that the last batch will be paid before November runs out.

According to him, noted that the AGs office has presently reached 59% revenue performance with 29% budget performance from the N50b approved for 2019.

He also said that they have also paid gratuities up to March 2016 as well as backlog of pensions up to 2015. Pastor Essien added that the State was rated as third across the country in terms of Budget implementation.

Responding, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Mr. Effiong Asuquo while commending the AG on his numerous strides and achievements, tasked him to also take into consideration the payment of grants and gratuities to primary school teachers.

His counterpart and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikak Linus Nkan while taking his turn, told the Committee that the N132b revenue generated was from investment sources, privatization among other sources while stating that only N900m was spent by the Interministerial Direct Labour Committee out of the N10b allocated.

For 2020, Mr. Nkan said N13b was budgeted for Interministerial while N2b was budgeted for the Finance Ministry.

While responding, the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Rt.Hon. Uduak Odudoh appreciated the Commissioner for taking time out to give clarity issues raised during the last held Public Hearing including figures allocated to Ministries including the Interministerial Direct Labour Committee. The lawmaker who represents IkotAbasi/Eastern Obolo also charged the Commissioner to look into the issue of flood ravaging the secretariat.

Also adding his voice, a member of the Committee and member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Mr. Godwin Ekpo stressed that members were interested to know schools to benefit from desks supplied so as to ensure fair sharing and spread.

Taking their turn to defend their 2020 estimates, the Director, Center for Alternative Conflict Resolution,

Rev. Fr. John Ebebe Esq. noted that within the last years, we have made huge efforts in terms of mediation and resolutions where they have received over 800 complaints and have settled more than 600 of those complaints. “New ones are still coming in and we have competent lawyers on ground to help in handling these concerns."

Others who also defended their 2020 estimates included Eld. Aniedi Ikoiwak, Chairman, AKISIEC, Mrs Nsikanabasi Orok, Secretary - Akwa Ibom State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and the Agency for Adult and Non Formal Education at the ongoing