Abia State Government says it has commenced the payment of outstanding salary arrears to verified workers of various state institutions with the first batch already released.
The announcement, made through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, noted that the payment which covers arrears accumulated under the previous administration, is in fulfillment of Governor Alex Otti’s promises to the people.
A source close to the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu listed the institutions to include Abia State University Uturu, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State College of Education, Technical Arochukwu, Abia State Teaching Hospital, Aba and Health Management Board, Umuahia.
Others listed include the state-owned institutions of higher learning, including College of Health Sciences, Aba, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, and Secondary Education Management Board, among others.
He disclosed that the total amount being disbursed to verified workers is N17,629,767,342.09 (Seventeen billion, six hundred and twenty-nine million, seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, three hundred and forty-two Naira, nine Kobo).
According to the Commissioner, the payment will follow a structured 12-month amortization plan to ensure the state’s financial resources are managed effectively.
Prince Kanu emphasized that the phased payment approach is designed to prevent disruptions in other critical areas of governance due to limited financial resources.
“This structured payment is meant to ensure that other areas of governance do not suffer from lack of attention due to limited financial resources.
“By this development , the Dr Alex Otti- led administration has once more demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and sustenance of the welfare of Abia State civil servants at all times”, the Commissioner concluded.
Affirming the information through a separate statement he also issued on the matter, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS to the state governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, noted “Governor Alex Otti has paid the first tranche of the arrears of workers salaries owed by the immediate past administration.
“The Governor earmarked N1.5 billion monthly to instalmentally offset the N18 Billion arrears of salaries within 12 Months. Governor Otti feels fulfilled with the thunderous jubilation and excitement of Abia workers than the bitterness of those denied access to Statutory workers and retirees entitlements”.
Recall that few weeks before he was changed, the immediate – past Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara had in a press conference stated the Abia State Government plans to off set in tranches, the salary arrears owed staff of the state owned institutions of higher learning by the immediate past administration, assuring also that the state government would equally pay off the arrears of salary owed some workers in the state civil service, in batches.
