Tears, agony, anguish and sorrow will from
ending September be the lot of government
workers in Akwa Ibom State as the Governor
has secretly ordered a 50% deduction in their
salary under the guise of Personal Income
Tax. The fraud is to be implemented with
immediate effect starting from workers September 2015 salary.
The Governor who earlier denied the State is not broke has already directed all heads of Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to start implementation of the 50% deduction as a way to boast
government income to make up for the bankruptcy of the state he inherited from his predecessor. The circular
dated September 9,2015, a copy of which was exclusively obtained by our reporter from the Ministry of
Finance was signed by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon.
To ensure the fraudulent stealing is kept under wraps, civil servants are not aware of the new policy and will
only realise something is fishy when they go to get their September salary. Only payroll staff were informed
through the circular. The decision not to inform the workers is to avoid a likely revolt. As a way to compromise
the workforce, the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Etim Ukpong has been secretly offered the sum of #20
million to look the other way while the illegal deduction is done on workers whose interest he was elected to
protect.
The circular with reference number MF/S/126/S.I/VOL.II/23 and dated 9th September, 2015, titled “Finance
Circular No 3 of 2015: Implementation of Approved Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) of 2011 in the Civil/ Public
Service of Akwa Ibom State was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable
Commissioners/ Special Advisers, The Head of Civil Service, Permanent Secretaries, The Clerk of the Akwa
Ibom State House of Assembly, The Chief Registrar, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary Headquarters, Chairmen of
Commission/ Boards/ Parastatals, Heads of Extra – Ministerial Departments and Heads of State Owned
Tertiary Institutions.
The circular read in parts, “Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom
State for the implementation of Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) of 2011, it is imperative for all Ministries /
Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to effect the tax deduction as per the attached tax table applicable to
them”.
“In order to cushion the effect of its implementation, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom
State has graciously approved a rebate of 50% across board to workers in the Akwa Ibom State Government
payroll with exception of those on political appointment”.
” All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) are please requested to comply strictly with the content of
this circular”.
” This circular takes effect from September, 2015″.
” Please bring the contents of this circular to all payroll staff for strict compliance “.
The governor’s decision to resort to stealing from workers salary was arrived at when the state could not pay
for some new contracts he awarded since assumption of office. His predecessor, Akpabio had allegedly stole
and looted every available money in government coffers but the Governor in trying to play his role as a stooge
of Akpabio denied the state is broke but when the reality dawn on him that there is no money to execute any
project he has awarded contract for, the conspiracy to get additional funds from workers salary was hatched
between the Governor and his finance Commissioner. Already, a request for a #10 billion loan by the Governor
is before the State House of Assembly for approval. Each member has been alleged to have been given a
brown envelope of #10 million each to pass the #10 billion loan request.
Reacting to the 50% salary deduction, a Director in the Ministry of Education who pleaded anonymity said the
directive apart from showing that the Governor and his finance Commissioner as fraudsters, is sheer
wickedness on the part of the Governor by directing a whopping 50% deduction of workers salary in the name
of tax. “Something is not right and neither the Governor or his finance Commissioner is saying the truth on the
true financial health of the state “, he declared.
Also speaking, a staff of the Ministry of Agriculture who pleaded not to brought named for fear of victimization
said any attempt to dupe Akwa Ibom workers in order to have money for fresh election will be resisted. He
warned that Akwa Ibom workers will not hesitate to Petition the anti corruption agencies should any illegal
deduction be effected in the September salary of workers.
In a related development, crisis is brewing between the Governor and one of his Commissioner (name
withheld) over a #100 million cash gift to the PDP Acting National chairman, Uche Secondus and the National
Publicity Secretary, Plusses Metuh who were guests of the State government in similarity to the Governor in
the wake of the DSS raid of the presidential lodge.
During the visit, Udom was alleged to have ordered the duo to be given #100 million as “transport fare” back to
Abuja. Though the siphoned money was a secret, the bubble first burst when Secondus and Metuh were at the
airport preparatory to their departure. The VIP lounge was occupied by a VIP passenger who was Just arriving,
which forced the PDP chieftains to use the normal check in passage. It was when trying to pass the security
check point to board their private jet back to Abuja that the security scanning machine detected the huge cash
but with government influence, there was no way airport security could question them on the source of the
money they were ” trafficking “.
The Commissioner was incensed with the Governor dolling out a whopping #100 million to two PDP NWC
members who only took advantage of the governor’s naivety and state of desperation and confusion
occasioned by the raid. Many PDP chieftains who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity queried
the rationale behind the Governor giving Secondus and Metuh #100 million from a mere visit when the state is
almost broke and workers salary not paid.
Efforts to speak with the Governors Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerette Udoh to get the government reaction to
the issue was unsuccessful as he did not pick calls made to his mobile phones. The State Commissioner for
Finance too declined answering his phones when contacted to get his response to the illegal 50% salary
deduction.

Nawa for all dis governors ooo...

kemlily:
Nawa for all dis governors ooo...

E taya me sef o0oo

wt tha heck is wrong with the gov.

They will vex o.

Things are not the same again o...

This 'news' is nothing but beer parlour gossip.

No source

Akpabio uncommon thief...

Na this kind person go screen others for Senate
Chie...

sometimes I wonder what these south south states do with all their money, akwa ibom with the highest revenue and a small population, should be the most developed state in Nigeria, but no they rather reduce workers salary, what is happening to akwa ibom and Niger Delta as a whole.. look at edo - under oshiomole,
rivers under amaechi, Delta under uduaghan, and now akwa ibom under udom. I think only cross river is exempted.

Where is NLC when you need them? No they've become part of Government and it's head part of the thieving elites!

Nawa o

what Hope he will still reduce foodstuffs, petrol and other things so that the salary will be able to meet up to their living This is heart breaking

I saw two things in the report. Firstly the salary issue and the transport fare. I believe the story might be true but highly inflated for public consumption

The reality is that all States face financial crisis. It is imminent as there has been a sudden 40% drop in monthly income. A man earning 100k who suddenly dropped to 60k will have to adjust to face the new reality.

Fake new alert!!!!!!!

Oh God let thy kingdom come