Nigerian Governor Declares State of Emergency, Details Emerge
Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom, has declared a state of emergency in the state's health sector, following the review of his government's healthcare development roadmap.
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The governor explained that the development was to accelerate reforms and ensure efficiency in the healthcare delivery in line with the ARISE agenda of his administration.
Source: Twitter
Aniekan Umanah, the state commissioner for information, announced the development after the State Executive Council meeting, which was held at the government house in Uyo, the state capital, on Saturday, September 13.
According to the commissioner, the directive under the emergency rule included the expansion and upgrading of the medical facilities across the state.
He noted that the recruitment portal should be reopened so that 2,000 workers could be engaged. The basic requirement for the application is a voter's identity card.
Also, the governor ordered that the health training institutes in the state should be upgraded, professionals should be enrolled, and the retirees who are willing to return to work should be engaged on a contract basis.
This came weeks after the Akwa Ibom State Government dismissed reports alleging that 15 per cent of workers’ salaries are being deducted monthly as compulsory tithes. Officials described the claims as false and intended to tarnish the image of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The controversy followed a report circulated on Saturday showing payslips said to belong to some appointees of the state government.
The report attempted to counter Governor Eno’s statement that none of his personal assistants earns less than one million naira monthly. It also cited an unnamed appointee who claimed that a 15 per cent tithe was forcibly removed from their salaries, irrespective of church affiliation.
He explained that the referenced forms and letters only applied to certain categories of aides to the governor and merely reflected statutory deductions such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.
He reiterated the governor’s earlier remark at a town hall meeting in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency that a full Personal Assistant earns no less than one million naira monthly.
He stressed that the deductions seen in the controversial payslips were statutory taxes and not tithes.
Source: Legit.ng
