Govt deducts dues, loans for co-operative socieities

The Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Ekerebong Akpan says government is working out modalities to deduct from monthly dues and loans of co-operators for payment to cooperative societies in the State. Mrs. Akpan, while reacting to the issue of non-deduction of the dues and loans by the executive members of Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the state who visited her in the office, Uyo, said this would enable the societies to recover their debts and contributions from the co-operators.

She used the occasion to reiterate government resolve to refund in full the 7.5 per cent mandatory Contributory Pension scheme to all its contributors, and thanked labour for their support and cooperation to her since her appointment, pledging to work with them for the success of the civil service and the State.
On indebtedness to the staff of the defunct Metro Hotel, Uyo, the Head of Civil service stated that government has paid their outstanding financial entitlements.
Shereiterated government’s commitment to improve the welfare of civil servants, and emphasized the need for a synergy between the labour and government to facilitate settlement of outstanding issues as done for staff of the defunct Uyo Metro Hotel.
Mrs. Akpan assured JPSNC leaders that all the problems presented would be looked into, said that with their cooperation, support and understanding, pending issues between government and labour would be resolved.
The Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Udeme Otong and Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akamba Awah, congratulated Mrs. Akpan on her appointment, and thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing her as the Head of Civil Service, expressing their convictions in her ability to reposition the Service.
The Council members called for the complete refund of the 7.5 per cent Contributory Pension deductions, release of all outstanding promotions, payment of gratuity to retired workers, upgrading of facilities in the School of Health Technology and Nursing, deductions for cooperative societies. They pledged their cooperation and support to enable the Head Civil Service succeed.