REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti of Abia state says plans are under way to addressing the long-standing gratitude liabilities dating back to 2001 owed pensions by previous administrations in the state.
Governor Otti announced this during the November edition of Monthly Media Chat tagged Governor Ottis speaks, held at the Banquet Hall Government House, Umuahia.
The governor said that the committee set up between the National Body of Nigeria Union of Pensioners and Members of the Abia state government has handed the report on outstanding gratuities.
According to him, the committee’s work was part of a renewed effort to reassess the backlog of gratuities following earlier appeals from pensioners.
While notifing that the report of the committee verified outstanding gratuities owed pensioners by previous administrations dating as far back as 2001 now exceed 60 billion Naira, Governor Otti described the findings as disheartening.
The Governor explained that the arrears of gratuities owed pensioners in the state have remained unpaid for over two decades.
The governor stated that his administration would soon announce a decision on how to address the liability, stressing that the payment would be carried out in phases .
On welfare of workers, he reassured workers and pensioners in the state that his administration would continue to prioritise their salaries, pensions and gratuities, pointing out that the state government is up to date on payment of salaries.
Speaking on the issue regarding the payment of newly recruited teachers, Governor Otti pledged that all those affected would receive their salaries.
He assured prospective teachers and medical personnel that recruitment processes would be transparent and merit-based, stressing that only those qualified would be recruited.
