Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr Umo Eno, has stated that there must be a thorough verification exercise before the civil servants in the state receive their N80,000 minimum wage after a verification exercise.
He further noted that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) threat actions cannot force him to eliminate the process of verification.
He made this statement during the 17th annual State Christmas Carol Service in Uyo, titled “Peace and Holiness with All Men”.
He said, “As your governor, we will pay 13 month. We have already calculated it and will pay based on the old salary structure. The new minimum wage will not commence until the verification exercise is completed.”
He reassured the public of being transparent in the payment of the N80,000 minimum wage to the civil servants.
He added, “Nobody will force me to pay without proper verification. Once the NLC, which is part of the verification committee, provides the report, we will start payments immediately.”
He reassured the state that there will be Christmas gifts for the 2,272 villages stating that each village will receive 20 bags each. He urged the leaders to share the gift equally among the people.