Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has assented to the 2023 Appropriation Bill of N700 billion as passed by the State House of Assembly.

Ini Ememobong, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said this while briefing journalists at the end of the State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Uyo, on Friday.

Mr Ememobong said the 2023 appropriation bill signed into law by the governor comprised recurrent expenditure of N344 billion and capital expenditure of N356 billion.

The commissioner added that the council had given approval for the extension of retirement age for teachers in government employment from 60 to 65 years, effective from December 30.

He said the council had also approved the release of N675 million for the payment of 2019 leave grant to teachers in government employment.

“Exco also granted approval for the employment of 1,000 junior workers into the state civil service.

“Exco also granted approval for the training of 2,000 youths in Maritime Safety and Surveillance, to be undertaken by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning,” he said.

He added that approval was also granted for the award of contract for the construction of 6.1km Shelter Afrique/Nnung Ette flood control tunnels in Uyo and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs and construction of 9.0km Ikot Ada idem-Ediene Ikot Obio Imo-Ikot Oku Ikono road in Ibiono Ibom and Uyo LGAs.

Governor Emmanuel was said to have assured the execution of all projects and charged all council members to redouble their efforts in the delivery of their respective ministerial mandates.

(NAN)