Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has begun fulfilling his promise to settle the salary arrears owed to workers in state institutions, a debt inherited from previous administrations.
On Friday, the state government initiated the payment of N17.63 billion to affected institutions, including Abia State University Uturu, Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, Abia State Teaching Hospital Aba, and the Health Management Board Umuahia.
Advertorial
According to a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the disbursement will be completed over a 12-month period through an amortization plan to ensure that other critical areas of governance are not neglected.
The first tranche of the payment has already been released to the verified workers.
Kanu affirmed the Otti-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants in the state, noting that the governor has set aside N1.5 billion monthly to gradually clear the arrears.
Advertorial
“By this move, the administration has once again demonstrated its dedication to improving the welfare of Abia State civil servants,” he said.
In a separate statement, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, confirmed that the first batch of payments had been made and highlighted the relief it has brought to workers who had been owed for months.
The payments cover arrears across several sectors, including the College of Health Sciences Aba, the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), and the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).
Advertorial
Ukoha further explained that the Otti administration inherited billions of naira in outstanding salaries, with state-owned institutions like Abia State Polytechnic owed 33 months, College of Education Arochukwu 22 months, and Abia State University 11 months.
The governor’s strategy to clear these debts involves monthly payments to ensure other aspects of the state’s development are not stalled.
This move has been welcomed by Abia workers, with many expressing relief and gratitude as the long-standing issue of unpaid wages is finally being addressed.
Gov. Otti
