The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to settling the outstanding salary arrears owed to various tertiary institutions, a debt estimated at 18 billion naira left by the previous administration.
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During a press briefing on Monday, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, outlined the government’s plan following this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu announced that the state would begin disbursing payments in August, with 1.5 billion naira allocated monthly over the next year to clear the arrears.
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He further explained that the administration had taken significant steps to resolve the persistent salary issues at Abia State University (ABSU).
A recent meeting between the governor, the Vice Chancellor, and the University’s Governing Council focused on addressing and resolving these financial challenges.
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The governor directed the Accountant General to ensure that all outstanding monthly salaries for ABSU staff, both verified and unverified, are paid within the week.
“That meeting provided the governor with the chance to put an end to these ongoing issues. He instructed the Accountant General to make sure all outstanding salaries are paid within the week, covering both verified and yet-to-be-verified staff members,” Kanu stated.
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Highlighting the governor’s commitment to staff welfare, Kanu noted that salaries for April, May, and June had already been disbursed.
“This demonstrates the governor’s unprecedented commitment to improving the welfare of university staff, surpassing previous administrations,” Prince Kanu emphasized.
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Additionally, Otti instructed the Accountant General to collaborate with the heads of tertiary institutions to align their overhead expenditure requirements so the government could address them effectively.
Addressing security concerns in public schools, the commissioner mentioned that the governor had mandated the Senior Special Adviser on Homeland Security to work with the Ministry of Education.
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Together, they will deploy homeland security personnel to provide round-the-clock security for all schools, safeguarding lives and protecting the government’s substantial investments in the education sector.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance the safety and security of students and educational facilities across the state.
