Abia: Gov. Otti Debunks Mass Retrenchment Story, Will Pay Salary Arrears Within Days

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

At his Monthly Media  chat on Friday night September 6, 2024, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State assured that in a few days time, workers will begin to receive positive messages as regards the payments of their salary arrears.

He, also, debunked speculations suggesting a  possible down- sizing of the State’s workforce.

The Governor had, in June, made a firm promise to begin instalmental payments of the huge salary arrears inherited from his predecessors in office effective, August ending.

He had announced  a monthly  provision of N1.5 billion for the settlement of the  over N17 billion salary arrears over a period of twelve months.

But Government’s gloating of the payments ,days after the dateline, have been unsettling to not a few, particularly the workforce.

However, Governor Otti informed that funds for the payments of August tranche have been disbursed, and noted that  Workers should be able to receive their money in a few days time.

He emphasized the fact that the arrears in question were not incurred by his administration, but inherited.

“Since coming on board in May 2023, we have been religious in the fulfilment of our obligations to the workers.

“We have kept our promise to be paying on/or before the 28th of every month. The arrears were inherited from previous administrations, and we are going to pay it without paralyzing activities in other areas.

“I have disbursed funds for the August payments. But I don’t know what is delaying the process. I believe in a few days time, the payments will be through. And hopefully, while that is going on, the September edition will follow,” he stated .

Governor Otti, while denying any plans by his administration to sack workers expressed dismay over the source of the misinformation.

He rather reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards rebuilding civil servants trust and confidence in the system through the pursuit of welfarist policies and capacity building.

” I don’t know where the rumour about sacking workers is coming from .There is nothing like mass retrenchment on our card.

We have not even thought about it .There is nothing like that in the pipeline . Like I said ,we don’t have any such plans.

We will continue to ensure that we enhance  our civil service,as well as its productivity level .,particularly now that salary payments are prompt and regular” the Governor noted .

According to him  such negative thoughts about possible retrenchment, are only harboured and purveyed by those who are used to absenteeism and other forms of truancy .

He stated that such people appear to be scared ,conscious of the fact that the present administration ,is not amenable to such display of laxity .

” People who are used to not going to work ,we have told them that our admin does not tolerate truancy and so if they are afraid ,may be they are  guilty .But  I know that there is no mass retrenchment in the offing .” Governor Otti,assured .