Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has commenced the payment of long-overdue salary arrears amounting to N17.63 billion to workers in state-owned institutions. These arrears, accumulated under previous administrations, are being systematically addressed as part of Governor Otti’s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants.
The affected institutions include Abia State University (ABSU), Abia State Polytechnic, the College of Education in Arochukwu, and the Abia State Teaching Hospital, among others. This initiative is aimed at restoring financial stability for these educational and health institutions, many of which had faced severe operational challenges due to unpaid wages.
According to a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the payments will be spread over 12 months, with the first tranche already disbursed. The structured plan ensures that essential sectors of the state’s economy continue to receive attention despite the financial burden of clearing these arrears. The state government allocated N1.5 billion per month to manage the N18 billion debt, promising to clear it within a year.
Governor Otti’s administration inherited a massive debt, with some workers owed as much as 33 months of unpaid wages. The past administration’s legacy left the state’s institutions in financial distress, prompting Otti to act swiftly to resolve the crisis.
Ukoha Njoku, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, expressed the administration’s satisfaction with the positive response from workers following the initial payments. He highlighted that the current government is dedicated to transforming the welfare of civil servants and retirees in the state.
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