Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti has assured Pensioners in the state that plans are underway to resolve the long lingering pension issues before the end of the month.
Governor Otti made this known on Monday during a monthly media parley with journalists in the state, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia.
The Governor who cited significant progress in the matter expressed his administration’s commitment to eliminating all obstacles related to pension arrears.
He said; “By the end of this month, we are going to resolve this long lingering pension issues. In Exco today, we had some approval and very soon the pensioners would hear from us, then we can put that (issues) behind”.
Addressing concerns about delayed salaries for some civil servants despite verification, Governor Otti disclosed plans for a meeting with the Accountant General and Commissioner for Finance to address the underlying issues causing the delays.
Regarding the promised salary increase for Abia workers and the federal government’s wage award, Governor Otti said a committee is working on implementation details, and assured that the report of the committee is being expected soon.
On the state government’s efforts to ensure food security in the state, Governor Otti highlighted infrastructure improvements, enhanced security measures, and agricultural initiatives to facilitate easier access to farmlands.
He also outlined plans to reclaim farm estates from private investors and provide funding to farmers and small businesses in each local government area.
Governor Otti added that plans are under way to make available funds to 100 farmers and small business owners in each of the 17 LGAS of the state in the first instance while efforts will be made to extend the gesture to the ward level.
The Governor while emphasizing the importance of equipping Abian students with relevant skills and knowledge for the global market, expressed the resolve of the State Government to remodel 170 primary and 51 secondary schools across the state.
He noted his administration’s resolve to retrieve the state’s educational system and further improve the standard of education in Abia as well as continue with the massive road revolution, distilling of drainages, the “Light up Abia project”, improvement in the state’s Healthcare delivery system, among others.
Otti thanked the people of Abia for carrying out the civic responsibility of paying their taxes and keeping the environment clean pointing out that government has resolved to place waste bins at strategic places in the state as part of its efforts to improve waste management.
