Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, has declared a state of emergency in the health sector, alongside approving a ₦695 billion supplementary budget to scale up reforms and strengthen service delivery.
The decision, announced after the State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Uyo, followed a review of the administration’s healthcare development roadmap under the ARISE agenda.
Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the emergency measures will include:
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Upgrading medical facilities across the state.
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Reopening the healthcare recruitment portal to employ 2,000 workers, with the voter’s card requirement for applicants waived.
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Strengthening health training institutions, fresh enrolment of medical professionals, and engagement of retired but willing personnel on contract.
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Constituting an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee to coordinate and monitor implementation.
On finances, Umanah explained that the supplementary budget raises the state’s 2025 spending plan from ₦995 billion to ₦1.65 trillion — broken down into ₦125.66 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦569.33 billion for capital projects.
According to him, the budget will fund the new minimum wage, personnel emoluments, and allowances for NYSC members. It will also support flood and erosion control, complete projects affected by inflation, and deliver new infrastructure.
Other provisions include funding for the Ibom CNG Mass Transit buses and operational support for newly created ministries such as Sports, Digital Economy, and Humanitarian Services.
“The budget is designed to strengthen social services, deliver critical infrastructure, and ensure effective implementation of the health emergency measures,” Umanah said.
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