Eno pledges collaboration as Akwa Ibom approves weigh-in allowance for journalists

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, has approved the payment of weigh-in allowance for omitted journalists in the employ of government.

Speaking on Monday, when he received the new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa IIbom, who paid a courtesy visit on him at Government House, Uyo, the Governor noted that if some journalists were already collecting the allowance, it was necessary to extend same to others.

He acknowledged that some journalists, especially members of the Government House Press Corps, work extra hours and deserve some benefits, and urged the Head of Civil Service to act upon the directive immediately.

Governor Eno, who said that the State under his leadership was committed to the welfare of the citizenry, promised to continue to transform the State by delivering on his campaign promises as contained in the ARISE Agenda.

He said there were ongoing developmental gains in the State under his watch, but stressed that meaningful progress requires intentional leadership and deliberate action that cannot occur by automatic expectations.

The Governor, who also said that the State was building on precept upon precept, and making steady progress, highlighted some development strides of government with specific mention of the first batch of 20 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses which he received before the meeting with NUJ.

He congratulated the new leadership on its successful election, and appreciated the union for partnering and collaborating with his administration to achieve meaningful development.

The Governor urged the union to join hands in promoting the State’s development strides, as his administration gears towards making the State a tourism destination.

Nsibiet John, Akwa Ibom State’s Chairman of NUJ, appreciated the Governor for his laudable support to the union since the inception of his administration.

He said that the visit was to present the new leadership of the Union to the Governor, and to register the Union’s appreciation over his support and purposeful leadership.

The Chairman noted that the Governor remains the most media friendly in the country, and highlighted some of his achievements to include the completion of an abandoned facility at the union’s Press Centre, the Patience Umo Eno Hall, which he said was abandoned for over 18 years; brand new car gifts to the immediate past leadership of the Union, and appointment of journalists to serve in his administration.

He said that the Union was serious in its fight against quackery and fake news, and assured that it will continue to remain a partner in the development of the State.