“Thank You For Your Sacrifices In Liberating Abia”,  Gov Otti Tells Organised Labour, Set To Clear Over 35 Months Salary Arrears.”

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

To address the injustice of unpaid salaries, and right the wrongs of the past, Governor Alex Otti, has assured that all inherited salary arrears from past administrations will soon be cleared.

This is just as he has reaffirmed that payments of monthly salaries and pensions will be top on the perking order of payments schedules of all categories of Government employees ,including political office holders .

Governor Otti,who spoke at the Umuahia Township Stadium on the occasion of Worker’s Day,  May 1 2024,,said the policy thrust of his administration is that the welfare and interests of the workers ,past ,present and future will come before the demands of the political class, noting that ever since he mounted the saddle ,he has remained faithful to the  policy.

“The Commitment to paying workers ,their legitimate entitlements was not borne out of charity,but on the understanding that it is irresponsible to owe any body that has worked to earn his/ her wages .

*Importantly, connection between regular payments of workers and the performance of the economy  in reality cannot be lost  on us” Governor Otti noted .

The source reports that as at the  time the administration came on board in May 2023 ,the strength of salary and pensions arrears was hovering around 40 months on the average ,with the state’s parastatals,the most affected .

The Abia State Governor stated that with the settlement of all matters relating to pensions arrears ,his administration is set to tackle the issues of salary arrears in a few weeks time.

“To address the injustice of unpaid salaries and pensions ,we went to work shortly after assuming office,setting up various teams to look into the record books ,interface with the leaders of the affected personnel and advise the Government appropriately.

“Not too long ,we cleared the arrears of pensions accumulated since 2014 ,following a template agreed upon with relevant stakeholders which saw the Government pay out close to # 10 billion to our senior citizens.

“We are presently in discussion with the staff of a few other institutions with outstanding salary issues pre-dating our adminstration for settlement.

“Within the next few weeks ,i am sure that the payments of the backlogs of salaries accumulated before May 29 2023 will be done in line with our determination to right the wrongs of the past”Governor Otti assured.

The Abia State Governor ,while expressing solidarity with the State Workforce ,described this year’s Workers’ Day ,as a veritable opportunity for an interface with their own people- Labour.

” Today’s event is very significant to us in the state for a number of reasons  The first is to note that it is our day because we are a Labour Government elected through the popular support and good will of thousands and millions of people who do honest day’s work so that  they may be able to fend for their families ,build their dreams and ultimately go to bed each night fulfilled that they have given their best .

“We have, therefore,  come to say thank you to our comrades who work  in the organized ,formal or in the informal sectors of the state’s economy.

“The State is deeply grateful for your  sacrifices, your diligence and for your continued  support to the. Government as we strive to rebuild our land from the ruins of the past”, the Abia State Governor noted.