The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared a state of emergency in its health sector, aiming to accelerate reforms and enhance healthcare services. This move is in line with the administration’s ARISE agenda, which prioritizes efficient healthcare delivery. According to Commissioner for Information Elder Aniekan Umanah, the emergency regime will focus on upgrading medical facilities, reopening the recruitment portal, and engaging 2,000 healthcare workers.

The recruitment process will be streamlined, with the requirement for voters’ identity card numbers waived for applicants. Additionally, the government will upgrade health training institutions, enroll and train health professionals, and engage retired medical personnel on a contract basis. An Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee has been constituted to ensure prompt implementation of these emergency measures.

In a related development, the State Executive Council has proposed a supplementary budget of ₦695 billion, raising the total budget size for 2025 to ₦1.65 trillion. The supplementary budget will cater to various expenditures, including the implementation of the new minimum wage, personnel emoluments, and allowances for NYSC members. It will also fund emergency flood and erosion control, completion of ongoing projects affected by inflation, and construction of new infrastructure.

Other allocations in the supplementary budget include funding for newly created ministries, purchase of mass transit buses, and development of the ARISE Shopping City. The budget also provides for capital provisions for the acquisition of new aircraft and the development of housing estates. The meeting, which proposed the supplementary budget, was attended by key government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and the Secretary to the State Government.

The declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector and the proposed supplementary budget demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and addressing critical infrastructure needs. The implementation of these measures is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s development and the well-being of its citizens. With the constitution of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, the government aims to ensure efficient implementation of the emergency measures and achieve its development goals.