Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has defended the welfare package of his Personal Assistants (PAs), insisting that none earns less than ₦1 million monthly.
Speaking during a constituency engagement on Friday with residents of Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Eno dismissed widespread claims of poor remuneration as “pure mischief.”
“Let me set the record straight, no PA in this administration earns less than a million naira. When some of them speak, they make it sound like a mere stipend. To me, ₦1m is not a stipend, it is serious money,” he said.
The governor cited Blessed Essien, a PA on Protocol, who used part of his earnings to fund a borehole and water distribution project in his community.
“Here is a young man who, out of the allowance you all call ‘stipend,’ executed a project that benefits his people. That is the spirit we want,” Eno remarked.
As part of a broader transparency drive, the governor announced plans to publish the full list of political appointees and their local government areas in national newspapers, urging citizens to demand accountability.
“Call your PAs, call your SAs, your SSAs, even your commissioners, ask them what they’ve done for you,” he charged.
In recognition of his initiative, Eno promoted Essien to Special Assistant on Public Works, describing him as an example of responsible leadership.
