Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has again vowed he will pay off outstanding N24 billion gratuities and pensions owed retirees in the state since 2014 before the year ends.
The governor gave the assurance when he swore in former permanent Secretary in the office of Secretary to State government, Dr Innocent Eteng as the Head of Service.
When he marked his first 100 days in office in September 2023, Governor Otu said he was working with a few banks to defray the N24 billion outstanding gratuities.
He expressed sadness over the government’s indebtedness to people who worked hard for 35 years for succeeding generations and would retire to their homes without entitlements even when they had paid contributory pensions.
“A situation where those who worked for 35 years so that we are able to inherit today will die without their entitlements will not continue henceforth.
” I want to assure that before the year 2023 ends, my government will offset outstanding gratuities and pensions to our fathers.”
Otu said the appointment of Dr Eteng as head of service, was by virtue of civil service rule and not as a political engineering.
He affirmed that Eteng was the most senior Permanent Secretary in the state civil service and was well-qualified and experienced.
He disclosed that most of his appointees are round pegs in round holes and well qualified
