Abia government spends over N40bn in payment of salary, pension arrears —Otti
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said that his administration has committed over N40 billion to clearing arrears of salaries and pensions in the past two years.
Otti said this on Thursday during an event organised to mark his administration’s two years anniversary with the theme “Transformative Governance: Sustaining the Momentum”, in Umuahia.
The governor said that this move was aimed at restoring dignity and financial stability to the state’s workforce and retirees.
He said that prompt salary and pension payments had become an integral part of the system with workers now paid by the 28th of every month.
Otti added that pensioners now receive full monthly payments, ending the era of partial disbursements experienced by retirees.
He also announced the full renovation of the previously abandoned Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, now housing nearly 1,000 civil servants.
The governor revealed efforts to digitise government operations and phase out manual filing systems through the provision of computers.
He also said that an agreement with MTN would ensure full network coverage across the state by Dec. 31, 2025.
Otti said that the state would also be witnessing the development of the first Aba Digital Mall by MTN, aimed at boosting e-commerce and local trade.
Otti reiterated the sustained resolve of Abia Government to allocate 20 per cent of the state’s budget to education, and confirmed that smart schools were under construction across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
According to him, the state’s free basic education policy had increased enrolment, prompting the transparent recruitment of 5,300 new teachers earlier this year.
He also disclosed that another 4,000 teachers would be recruited to match the growing student population across public schools.
The governor assured equal opportunities for all, regardless of state of origin, ethnicity, or religion during the exercise.
On health, he said that over 100 Primary Healthcare Centres(PHCs) had been renovated, with commissioning set to begin on June 1.
Otti also said that renovations were ongoing at ten general hospitals and two specialist centres to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
