Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board has released N386.09 million for the payment of 2010 Christmas bonus of primary school teachers, Dr Patrick Ndon, the chairman, said.

Nidon stated this  in an interview with newsmen in Uyo.

He explained that the package, also called “Akpabiomber” by workers, could not be paid last year because the board had to pay leave grants of N476.22 million to teachers along with their normal monthly salaries.

The Tide’s source recalls that there were allegations of diversion of funds against the board, while the package, also known as 13th month salary, had yet to be paid to the teachers.

The primary school teachers became more agitated when on May 1, Governor Godswill Akpabio stressed that he would continue to pay the bonus in his second term in office.

“You see, primary school teachers’ salaries are paid through the State and Local Governments Joint Account, the local government chairmen being political appointees had to plead that if all deductions were made in one month, nothing would be left for them.

“Hence, it was resolved that the “Akpabiomber” be paid in April 2011 and the money has since been paid to the teachers with their April salaries,’’ the chairman said.