By Edet Okpo
“We are committed to ensuring that our civil servants receive a fair wage for their hard work and dedication”, Gov. Umo Eno, 2024.
The superscripted words and what has happened thereafter has clearly proven Governor Umo Eno to be a man whose words are his bond. A man of character, he is trusted when he speaks over a matter.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, a day to the 37th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno interacted with journalists in the State during a traditional media parley as part of activities marking the State Anniversary celebration. At the event, the governor emphatically stated that he was not In a hurry but was ready to interact and give uplifting updates on his template of governance and dreams of the Arise Agenda. As such, he graciously gave the media professionals the benefit of asking a dozen questions to which he offered spontaneous responses that did not only attract applause from the audience at the Government’s Banquet Hall where the event was held but also pointed to a future of stronger trust and greater expectations.
One of the questions asked was when the governor shall pronounce his own decision on minimum wage for Akwa Ibom Civil Servants. Recall that on Monday, July 29, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed into law a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers from the initial N30, 000 to N70, 000 naira. It was said to be the consequence of bargains between the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress( NLC) and affiliate bodies. The president accordingly set up a consequential committee to review and streamline matters pertaining to increment to Workers’ pay packages.
While some state governors expressed readiness and possibility to follow suit in their respective states, others raised concerns about their inability to pay due to perceived paucity of funds. It was not long when some state governors started making pronouncements on how much they shall be able to afford.
So when the question of “when and how much” was fired at Governor Umo Eno during the media banquet, his assuring response calmed nerves and engendered high hopes. The Governor hinted that the state government was committed to paying the new minimum to civil servants but was waiting for the federal government to release modalities. The common talk on the streets in Uyo and elsewhere across the state therefore was that in as much as the governor had promised, he will do it –and even handsomely and competitively. The people were not wrong.
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, Governor Umo Eno to the rapturous excitement of Akwa Ibomworkers announced the whooping sum of N80, 000 naira as minimum wage. “This announcement is reflective of the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce”, the statement added. To further concretize and fast-forwarded the process, the governor constituted a 15-man implementation committee, headed by the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, with a one-month mandate to deliver its report on how the wage increase will be executed.
Four things quickly stood out in the pronouncement. One, the governor exceeded the federal government’s benchmark of 70, 000. Two, Akwa Ibom is paying one of the highest in the country, only next to the 85, 000 in Lagos and Rivers State earlier announced by Governors Sanwo-Olu and Sim Fubara respectively.
Three, it portrayed the governor’s large-heartedness in spite of inherited backlog of indebtedness to workers from the previous administrations.
Four, Governor Umo Eno wants workers in the state to be happy while working.
It however must be stated that this announcement did not surprise many who know Governor Umo Eno. From his day one in office, the welfare of workers, serving and retired, has been his top priority. He never owed salaries nor made pensioners passed through hitherto excruciating experiences on the process of determinedly and intentionally giving attention to their conditions.
Here are a few of the trailblazing records: Payment of gratuities, ensuring that retiring employees receive their benefits, amounting to over 35billion naira; 13- month extra salary to civil servants to be paid in December 2024, incentivizing workers with N20, 000; payment of leave and promotion grants; building of houses for low-grade civil servants, payment of #50,00O Wardrobe allowance to Civil Servants, amongst others.
Added to these is increased attention to the training and retaining of workers to boost productivity. There is no question that these altruistic and populists steps by the governor has enhanced workers standard of living; create a sense of belonging that motivated their commitment to duty; and general service delivery on the state workforce. It is interesting that the governor Umo Eno is also giving laudable attention to all sectors of the economy, without complaints, without excuses, without disappointments.
For a practical test, step onto any street and talk negatively about Governor Umo Eno and see how civil servants will react. He has won hearts with deeds that touch lives and is seen as a bastion of hope in greater things to come. The State Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Sunny James, had conveyed workers feelings to the governor, thanking him for the largesse. In the same vein, the State’s Trade Union Congress, Dominic Abang, has also expressed appreciation on behalf of affiliate unions in the state. ‘I want to thank the governor for the announcement. It is a welcome development. We want to thank him for the consideration of raising the State workers’ minimum wage above the national minimum wage”, Abang had said while expressing his feelings on behalf of workers to the media.
When a leader makes his word his bond, he wins unsolicited respect and trust of the people he leads. And that can set a smooth path for stronger solidarity, loyalty and support in attaining set goals in the governance of the people. If you check the records, you easily will agree that this is exactly what Governor Umo has done with his words and the mandate entrusted to his hands by AkwaIbom people since he came into office as governor. He keeps promises. He sets goals. He redeems vows. He does more than he talks. That has made a whole difference between him and some leaders in the Country.
What apt and concise adjective would one use in describing a Governor who perform, raising mountains out of sand dunes and building bridges of grow and development across the physical lands and minds,yet, he does not make a noise or blow trumpet to attract global attention to himself.
Today, there is no political Ward or local government area in the State that cannot boast of government presence in their domain, especially in terms of infrastructure.
Why some politicians believe that the Governor should embark on what they termed “signature projects “ to be used for campaigns, Governor Umo Eno keeps surprising them through Commissioning of life-touching projects across the State in almost every week.
In truth, Pastor Umo Eno came into governance of the State to make a difference between projects and monuments; between a professional entrepreneur in politics and a professional politician; between value and aesthetics; and between politics and governance. Pastor Umo Eno came to add something fresh in governance to temporize unfolding realities. To this end, what the governor needs is our support and prayers.
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