REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti, of Abia has pledged to clear wages arrears of former councillors who served between 1999 and 2022 owed them by previous administrations.
Governor Otti who made the pledge during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors at the JAAC Secretariat, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, said that the payment which would commence this month would be settled in batches.
He commended the Association for withdrawing pending court cases against the State Government, describing the move as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence in his administration.
According to Governor Otti, the decision to commence payment of the outstanding arrears is not politically motivated but driven by a commitment to fairness and justice.
He emphasised that the move is not influenced by party considerations, assuring that all affected former councillors would be treated equally.
The Governor directed the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, to collaborate with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, to formalise the Association as a recognised structure.
Earlier, the Former Elected Councillors who spoke through their Coordinator, Chief Tony Agbayim, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for concluding arrangements to offset the salary arrears owed to them by previous administrations.
They lamented that the neglect of their welfare by past administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had subjected members to severe hardship and deaths of some their colleagues.
