A group of former local government officials in Akwa Ibom State has issued a passionate appeal to the state government, urging the immediate payment of their severance benefits almost a year after leaving office.
Meeting under the umbrella of the
Forum of Supervisors and Special Advisers of Akwa Ibom State (FOSSAK) the former officials, who served between 2018 and 2023, convened in Uyo to address what they described as a “glaring and unjust neglect” of their entitlements.
The meeting, chaired by Hon. Michael Etim John ( 2021–2023) and Hon. Iniehe Akpabio, who served as FOSSAK chairman from 2018 to 2021. A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting called on Governor Umo Eno to urgently intervene.
“Please save our souls,” the statement reads. “We are not aliens nor foreigners to our dear state. We served this state like others did.”
While the forum praised Governor Umo Eno for his leadership style and strides in governance under the ARISE Agenda, it expressed concern that, unlike former chairmen and councillors who have received severance payments, former supervisors, advisers, and secretaries remain excluded.
Citing the January 2018 Operational Guidelines for Local Government administration endorsed by the then Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan the group stated that their entitlements are clearly documented and should not be ignored.
The forum noted that despite several appeals to the current Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, there has been no resolution. It also recalled a meeting with the governor in January 2023, during which the governor made a promise to ensure payments to the former local government commissioners.
“We trust in His Excellency’s compassion and commitment to justice, We now humbly and expectantly call on our promise keeping governor to fulfil this pledge” part of the communique read
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to Governor Eno and pledged to support his re-election bid in 2027, even as it urged him to address the issue promptly in the interest of fairness and dignity for all who served.
