Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured former councillors who served between 1999 and 2022, that payment of salary arrears owed them by previous administrations will commence before the end of this month.
Governor Otti gave the assurance during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors at the JAAC Secretariat, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, stating that the arrears would be settled in batches.
“I’m told that everything should be set by the end of this month. So what that means is that by the end of this month, we will start the payment”, the Governor assured.
He commended the Association for withdrawing pending court cases against the State Government, describing the move as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence in his administration.
Governor Otti who noted that every labourer deserves his wages, assured that his administration stands for what is just and right and would always stand by it.
The Governor emphasised that leadership is a call to stewardship, not self-glorification, adding that his administration is guided strictly by principles of justice and fairness.
According to Governor Otti, the decision to commence payment of the outstanding arrears is not politically motivated but driven by a commitment to fairness and justice.
He emphasised that the move is not influenced by party considerations, assuring that all affected former councillors would be treated equally.
“The reason why we are doing this is not politics. Whether you are a member of my party or you are not, you will be treated fairly”, he assured.
Governor Otti commended the Association for embracing a peaceful resolution by withdrawing the legal action it had instituted against the State Government over the outstanding salary arrears.
The Governor directed the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, to collaborate with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, to formalise the Association as a recognised structure.
Earlier, the Former Elected Councillors who spoke through their Coordinator, Chief Tony Agbayim, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for concluding arrangements to offset the salary arrears owed to them by previous administrations.
The Association described the development as one that has “put past administrations to shame” and lamented that the neglect of their welfare by successive administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had subjected members to severe hardship, which, they noted, led to the death of some colleagues.
They commended Otti for prioritising workers’ welfare through prompt and regular payment of salaries and pensions, as well as infrastructural improvements in Umuahia, which they said had restored the pride and dignity of Abia people.
In his remarks, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, appreciated the Governor for convening the meeting in response to the councillors’ welfare concerns.
He urged members of the Association to identify with the Labour Party by obtaining their membership cards, describing the party as one guided by conscience and dignity, and committed under Governor Otti’s leadership to doing what is just and right.
Also speaking, the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Augustine Okezie, thanked the Governor for placing the welfare of the former Councillors above partisan considerations.
They encouraged the councillors to serve as dedicated foot soldiers for the Governor in their respective political wards.
The event featured the endorsement of Governor Otti as sole candidate for his future political aspirations by the former elected councillors.
