Pensioners, Teachers and Workers in various Institutions and Parastatals in Abia State will have cause to smile this Yuletide Season as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has released ₦3.2 Billion to offset arrears of salaries owed by the state government.
The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo gave the cheering news while briefing Journalists during the monthly press briefing by the Abia State Government Media Team at Government House, Umuahia.
The Information Commissioner flanked by his counterpart in charge of Documentations and Strategic Communications, Ugochukwu Emezue and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka,said the governor released ₦828 Million for the payment of the salary arrears owed workers of the Abia State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) as well as the sum of ₦983 Million for the salary arrears of Secondary School Teachers.
According to the Information Boss, the Governor released 12 months arrears of salaries for Abia State College of Education Technical (ASCETA) and 4 months subvention for Abia Polytechnic Aba.
He said ₦520 Million was released for payment of salaries to Abia Pensioners, 2 months subvention for ABSUTH while 5 months subvention and N200 million grant was released for the College of Health Technology Aba to facilitate relocation to their permanent site.
The Commissioner revealed that the payments commenced since Thursday December 9th, 2021 and advised that the Management of the various Parastatals to always ensure strict compliance and pay the workers accordingly.
He disclosed that Parastatals in the State are going through reforms with a view to ensuring that they fulfil their obligations and promised to make public the out come of the ongoing verification exercise at the local government level.
Chikamnayo, however warned that the state government would not tolerate illegal recruitment of workers by institutions and Parastatals without formal approval by the State Government.
