The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared a State of Emergency in the health sector as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen healthcare delivery in line with the administration’s ARISE Agenda.
The resolution followed a comprehensive review of the state’s healthcare development roadmap during the weekly State Executive Council (Exco) meeting, presided over by Governor Pastor Umo Eno.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Elder Aniekan Umanah, said the emergency measures include:
Upgrade of medical facilities across the state.
Recruitment of 2,000 healthcare workers, with the voter’s card number requirement waived for applicants.
Upgrading of health training institutions and training of more health professionals.
Engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on a contract basis.
An Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee has also been set up to ensure speedy and efficient implementation of the directives.
The Exco further proposed a ₦695 billion supplementary budget, which will raise Akwa Ibom’s total 2025 budget to ₦1.65 trillion.
The new estimates include:
₦125.66 billion for Recurrent Expenditure.
₦569.33 billion for Capital Expenditure.
The supplementary bill will fund:
Implementation of the new minimum wage and personnel emoluments.
NYSC allowances for corps members serving within and outside the state.
Flood and erosion control projects.
Completion of ongoing projects affected by inflation.
Construction of new infrastructure and housing estates.
Purchase of Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses.
Establishment of new ministries — Sports, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Services — and the Bureau of Rural Development and Cooperatives.
The Tree Crop Revolution Programme.
Renovation of the House of Assembly complex.
Capital allocation for the acquisition of new aircraft.
Development of the ARISE Shopping City.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Civil Service, commissioners, and special advisers.
