•Shut down liaison office in Abuja
Protesting workers of the Akwa Ibom State Government workers protested yesterday at the state’s liaison office in Abuja over allegation that over N20 million meant for their welfare was being withheld by some senior officials.
By 8am, the main entrance to the liaison office, the Akwa Ibom House in the Central Business District, was shut by the angry workers.
They prevented senior workers, including the Permanent Secretary, Uduak Georde Iwoh, from exiting the building.
For hours, people were prevented from either entering or leaving the building, which is also occupied by some private agencies.
The workers said they would sustain the protest until the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant, Ekan Essient Inyang, account for the funds allegedly released last December by Governor Godswill Akpabio for about 900 workers of various agencies of the state in Abuja.
Secretary to the Permanent Secretary, Kelvin Umana said the workers were protesting to compel the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant to explain why the money had not been disbursed.
He said the workers confirmed that the money was released last December by the governor.
Umana said: “The money has always been released to us every December as end-of-year gift from the governor. The governor has been good to us and has always given us this money. We have always released the money every December. But last December’s money has been withheld by some people.
“We suspect the money is between the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant. That is why we are protesting. We will continue to protest until they account for the money. We have confirmed from relevant quarters in Uyo that the money had been released. We know some people want to keep the money until Governor Akpabio leaves office on May 29.
“Those keeping the money will be compelled to release it. We will not stop our protest until the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant are prevailed upon to release the money. We appeal to our governor to prevail on those withholding the money to release it. They are trying to rubbish the good work and worthy intention of our governor.”