Re: 33 States can’t pay salaries – BudgIT, by Ekerete Udoh

The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Government has been drawn to the story that appeared on the front page of The Sun newspaper today (November 15, 2016,) and other publications with the caption: 33 States can’t pay salaries” and attributed to BudgIT- a data sampling civic organization.
Ordinarily, we would have dismissed the report and analysis as representing the immortal words of ex-President of the United States, George H. Bush, who in describing the economic policy as enunciated by his then opponent for the nomination as the Republican Party Presidential Candidate in 1980, -Ronald Reagan had dismissed the whole plan as “Voodoo Economics”.
There is no doubt that the conclusions reached by BudgIT, is nothing but voodoo analysis or how else would any rational and intellectually astute organization place Akwa Ibom State “last on the table of inability to meet monthly recurrent expenditure commitments”.
It bears repeating here that, Akwa Ibom State is one of the few states where workers are paid regularly and on time. Governor Udom Emmanuel has stated in so many fora and platforms that he cannot sleep and will not sleep well, if workers are owed salary. He has not only paid their salaries, but has gone ahead to pay their 2016 leave allowance, as well as their pensions.
In spite of the challenging economic times we are currently experiencing, Governor Udom Emmanuel is embarking on many life touching projects- projects that align with his campaign promise to alleviate poverty and ensure wealth creation.
It is spurious and curious for an organization that may pass itself off, as a credible organization to come up with such a flawed analysis. No wonder the famed CEO of Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismarck Rewane dismissed the analysis and starting that he has ”doubts about this report” maintaining that report is “”inaccurate”.
Governor Udom Emmaniel is working hard to fulfil his campaign promises and he will not be distracted by reports that are not based on facts.
. Being a statement by Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.