When TheInvestigator presented its findings to the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien, he admitted that the payment of the rural posting allowance is yet to commence.
By Ekemini Simon
The Government of Akwa Ibom State has claimed that it pays its workers posted to rural areas allowances to cater for their inconveniences.
The government through the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien while giving his remarks at the Akwa Ibom State Government’s event tagged “Evening of Grants and Empowerment” held on February 6, 2025, said teachers and medical officers posted to rural areas by the State government currently enjoy the rural posting allowances.
The Head of Service said “When it comes to rural development, Your Excellency, the workers of Akwa Ibom State have enjoyed rural posting allowances. Those teachers, those medical officers that have rural postings are enjoying allowances.”
Watch the video where the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien made the claim below:
Rural Teachers, Medical Officers Insist Essien’s claim is false
This reporter reached out to select government teachers and medical officers posted to the rural areas of Urue Offong/Oruko, Okobo, Nsit Atai, Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, Eastern Obolo, Ini, Ikono, Ika and Obot Akara local government areas. None of the workers confirmed receiving the rural posting allowance.
One of the teachers (name withheld for fear of victimisation) posted to Nung Atai Okobo but resides in the State Capital Uyo complained that he pays his way every day to school without the said allowance from the government to address the inconveniences and extra cost he incurs in transportation.
“If at all I received the rural posting allowances, it would have helped me with the needed funds to get a house here in Okobo thus be more relaxed in providing my services as a teacher and also escape the daily risk of coming in from Uyo to teach,” he added.
A medical officer in the Ini local government area who asked that her details not be mentioned in the report for fear of retribution said the State government currently does not pay the rural posting allowances.
She added “When I heard the claim by the Head of Service I was very disappointed on how a government official will publicly mislead the public in such a manner. That event was broadcasted live. Before my employment, I used to stay in Uyo but now I have moved with my family to stay in Ini local government area because that is where I am working.
“The healthcare sector requires officers to be around where they work. Even with these sacrifices, the government for years has not paid allowances for these sacrifices we make. Coming out to make such an untrue statement that we are enjoying the allowance is like a mockery of our sacrifices.”
Organised Labour Fault Government’s Claim
TheInvestigator contacted the President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Anestina Iweh said it was not correct that workers in Akwa Ibom State posted to rural areas are enjoying rural posting allowances.
She said the only workers she knew at a time enjoyed rural posting were health workers adding that she believes they may still be enjoying the allowances.
The NULGE President said it would be a wise course for all staff working in the rural areas to be paid the rural posting allowances.
Also, when this reporter contacted the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James, he said he is very much aware that teachers have not been paid the rural posting allowances but unsure of the current state of payment to the health workers.
He noted that he is aware that there has been some level of approval for the payment but was sure that the money has not been paid yet to teachers.
The Chairman who said that other States including nearby Rivers State pay rural posting to all who are posted to rural areas, especially the riverine areas should serve as a template for the State Government to capture all workers in the payment.
He said if this is done, workers will be encouraged to serve effectively at their duty post thus helping citizens in the hinterland to enjoy the impact of the ARISE Agenda of the administration and also discourage rural-urban migration.
However, when reached, the outgoing chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Emem David clarified that the State Government had in the past paid the rural posting allowances to health workers in the State but stopped eight years ago. He said despite several appeals from the Association to the State government, the government has not resumed the payment to date.
TheInvestigator further reached out to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Imenyi Edet to confirm if teachers within his Union posted to rural areas receive the rural posting allowances. He responded in the negative. ” It is not true. Even the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is doubting such a claim because they don’t know the source. The only thing we learnt from SUBEB is that they gathered that the rural posting allowance has been approved but not implemented. I think the Head of Civil Service was too fast to go on air when the issue was not implemented”.
Top sources from the Ministry of Health and Education contacted by this reporter confirmed that rural posting allowances are not implemented at the moment by the State.
Head Of Service Admits Findings
When TheInvestigator presented its findings to the Head of Civil Service, Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien, he admitted that the payment of the rural posting allowance is yet to commence.
He claimed that when he made the remark he was referring to approvals made by Governor Umo Eno for the commencement of payment.
Essien said “Yes, the payment has not started. I was talking in reference to the fact that the Governor has approved it and the Ministry of Health is working on the modalities to kickstart the payment.”
The Head of Service said the payment will start as soon as the office is assigned to the Commissioners recently nominated since the government had gone far in the payment modalities with the old commissioners.
Meanwhile, the claim by the Head of Civil Service that he was referring to approvals in his speech has been found wanting. Throughout the live broadcast, he did not mention that the rural posting allowance is in the approval stage by the Governor rather he said that teachers and medical officers are enjoying the allowances.