Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has addressed concerns regarding the salaries of his political aides, affirming that none of his Personal Assistants (PAs) earn less than one million naira per month.
Speaking at a Town Square Meeting with residents of Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency in Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, Governor Eno expressed disappointment over complaints from some aides about their pay.
He commended his Personal Assistant on Protocol, Blessed Essien, for using part of his salary to fund a water borehole project in his community. In recognition of this, the Governor announced Essien’s promotion to Special Assistant (SA) on Public Works.
Governor Eno contrasted Essien’s community engagement with that of other appointees, stating, “I received a report about a PA who invested part of his earnings to build and distribute water from a borehole in his village. That’s commendable. But many others with similar roles have not made meaningful contributions to their communities.”
He emphasized, “Let it be clear: no Personal Assistant to the Governor earns less than one million naira monthly. Calling this a ‘stipend’ is misleading. It’s a substantial income, and I expect transparency and accountability from all political appointees.”
Furthermore, the Governor instructed the Secretary to the State Government to compile and publish a comprehensive list of all political appointees, categorized by local government areas, in a national newspaper.
Encouraging active civic engagement, he urged constituents to ask their PAs, SAs, SSAs, and Commissioners about their contributions to their communities.
Governor Eno concluded by reaffirming that performance and responsibility are key in public service, noting that Essien’s promotion was a direct result of his tangible impact.
