Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has presented a supplementary budget of ₦695 billion with a special focus on improving healthcare under the ARISE Agenda of his administration.
The health sector in the state has faced serious challenges, ranging from dilapidated facilities to shortage of manpower, sparking public outcry over the poor state of hospitals.
Last month, a tragic incident occurred at the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene where a pregnant woman and her newborn baby died during childbirth.
The incident went viral on social media as relatives of the deceased accused doctors of negligence and pleaded with Governor Umo Eno to take urgent action.
In response, the state government quickly set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the case and submit recommendations within two weeks.
During the State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Uyo, over the weekend, Governor Eno reviewed his administration’s healthcare development roadmap. He declared a state of emergency in the health sector and announced the supplementary budget to tackle reforms under the ARISE Agenda.
According to the governor, the aim is to speed up reforms and provide efficient healthcare services across the state.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the supplementary budget will focus on fixing infrastructural deficits in the health sector.
He said the emergency measures include upgrading medical facilities across the state, reopening the recruitment portal, and employing 2,000 health workers. The usual requirement of a voter’s identity card for applicants will be waived.
The Exco also directed the upgrading of health training institutions, recruitment and training of professionals, and engagement of retired but willing medical staff on contract.
Governor Eno further announced the setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee to ensure effective and speedy implementation of these health reforms.
Umanah disclosed that with the ₦695 billion supplementary bill, the state’s 2025 budget now stands at ₦1.65 trillion.
He explained that ₦125.6 billion is for Recurrent Expenditure, while ₦569.3 billion is for Capital Expenditure.
The supplementary budget also covers other key areas, including payment of the new minimum wage, allowances for NYSC members, flood and erosion control, completion of inflation-affected projects, new infrastructure, and the purchase of Ibom CNG mass transit buses.
It also makes provisions for the newly created Ministries of Sports, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Services, and Rural Development, as well as funding for the Tree Crop Revolution programme, housing estates, renovation of the House of Assembly complex, acquisition of new aircraft, and development of the ARISE Shopping City.
