Akwa Ibom State government has denied that it owes workers salaries, saying the report in a national daily was incorrect and misleading.
It explains that the salaries of workers and their entitlements are paid promptly and as when due.
Charles Udoh, commissioner for information and strategy, said in a statement that the welfare of workers and that of the entire people of the state was usually given top priority by the state government.
According to Udoh, the misleading information is capable of generating ill will and tension among well-meaning people both at home and in the Diaspora.
The commissioner therefore urged journalists to always verify information at their disposal with relevant authorities before publication to avoid eroding their credibility.
But while presenting the 2018 budget proposal to the state house of assembly, Governor Udom Emmanuel had acknowledged that though the state government had made significant efforts in the settlement of pension arrears to retired workers, a lot still remained to be done to offset the backlog.
The governor however lauded the ministry of culture and tourism for being the most creative and forward looking.
“The ministry of culture and tourism in our review of the 2017 budget remains one of the most improved ministries, and it impacted seriously during our 30th anniversary,’’ the governor said.
Describing tourism as one of the greatest revenue earners in the world today, the governor said the state government would undertake key projects in the tourism sub sector as part of efforts to reposition the culture and tourism segment in the state.
Among the projects to be embarked upon by the state government next year include the expansion of the Le Meridien Ibom five-star hotel and golf resort, completion of a multimillion naira Ibom Tropicana entertainment centre with Cineplex Galleria, Malls, dry and wet park, hotels and convention centre as well as the sponsorship of the state arts and culture troupe to arts and culture festivals in foreign countries.
A total of N14.604 billion has been set aside for projects in the culture and tourism sub sector.
