Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has declared a state of emergency in the health sector to accelerate reforms and ensure efficient service delivery in line with his administration’s ARISE agenda.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, announced the decision on Saturday after the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Uyo.
According to Umanah, the emergency measures include an expanded upgrade of medical facilities across the state, the reopening of the healthcare recruitment portal to engage 2,000 workers, and the waiver of the voters’ identity card requirement for applicants. The governor also directed the upgrading of health training institutions, the fresh enrolment of professionals, and the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on contract.
To oversee the reforms, the government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee comprising representatives of relevant ministries and agencies to ensure prompt and effective implementation.
Meanwhile, the council also proposed a supplementary budget bill of ₦695 billion, with ₦125.66 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦569.33 billion for capital projects. Umanah said the budget would cover the new minimum wage, personnel emoluments, and allowances for NYSC members.
He added that funds would also be allocated to flood and erosion control, completion of inflation-affected projects, Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses, and new infrastructure across the state. Other provisions include the Tree Crop Revolution programme, construction of housing estates, and renovation of the House of Assembly complex, as well as support for the newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, and Humanitarian Services.
