Umuahia – After more than 20 years of waiting, retirees in Abia State will finally begin receiving the gratuity and pension arrears owed to them since 2001.
Governor Dr Alex Otti disclosed this during his monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House, emphasizing that the state had completed a thorough review of all pending pension claims in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
“The committee that we set up between the national body of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners and members of my administration has just handed in the report,” Otti said.
He described the backlog as “a very large number, dating back over 20 years,” noting that verified arrears exceed N60 billion.
“Government is continuous, and whatever you are handed over, you deal with it. If it is assets, if it is liabilities, you pick all of them. We are unafraid to work out a solution,” he added, assuring pensioners that payments would be made gradually.
Governor Otti also confirmed that workers’ salaries were up to date and reiterated that staff welfare remains a top priority.
Addressing delays affecting newly recruited teachers, he said, “I have instructed everyone involved that they cannot have a weekend until every affected teacher is paid. By the end of Sunday, all the people who are affected will receive their salaries.”
In a demonstration of public confidence in the state’s recruitment process, the recently reopened portal for engaging 4,000 teachers received 27,980 applications within just two weeks. Otti assured applicants that recruitment would remain transparent and free from manipulation under his watch.
On healthcare manpower, the governor revealed that recruitment of medical personnel was nearly complete, attracting applicants even from outside Nigeria.
He also highlighted recent national rankings, saying Abia emerged the most prepared state for medical emergencies according to SBM Intelligence and topped the Kevlin Index for intra-city transport affordability.
Road construction projects have resumed following improved weather conditions, while the state has issued 30,562 Certificates of Occupancy under the ‘C-of-O-in-30-days’ policy in two and a half years. Revenue recovery efforts have been strengthened, guided strictly by due process, including demand notices and court orders.
The governor further detailed upgrades in education, including the accreditation of 24 courses at the Abia State College of Education (Technical) and Architecture, and ongoing developments at Abia State University and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.
Corps members’ allowances at the NYSC camp in Bende have risen from N4,000 to between N20,000 and N50,000, alongside improvements in power, water, and road infrastructure.
Abia State continues to support the Nigerian Correctional Service, with perimeter fencing and a new holding centre in progress.
The governor also disclosed plans to grant pardon to minor offenders, pending further review of inmates’ eligibility.
