The Abia State Government, Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to begin clearing long-standing salary arrears owed to former Local Government councillors. This initiative targets those who served between 1999 and 2022 and is part of the administration’s broader effort to address inherited financial and governance challenges.
Governor Alex Otti shared this update during a meeting with the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia on Sunday. He stated that payments, which cover over two decades of arrears, will start before the end of February and will be made in batches.
Key Details:
Governor Otti explained that when the issue was first presented to him, he wasn’t fully aware of its complexity. The matter involved multiple court cases and partial payments made under court orders by previous administrations. To resolve this, his government decided to harmonize all claims and address the disputes comprehensively. He emphasized that true leadership involves tackling inherited problems head-on rather than delaying them.
“All workers deserve fair treatment, whether they are core civil servants, non-core staff, or pensioners,” the governor said. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice and fairness. Otti also praised the association for withdrawing all pending court cases related to the unpaid salaries, calling it a step toward building trust. With the legal disputes resolved, he assured that payments would begin by the end of the month through a transparent and organized process.
To further strengthen the association’s structure, the governor directed Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, and Mr. Uzo Nwachukwu, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to formalize its framework.
Background: This decision to settle the arrears aligns with the administration’s ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at improving governance and financial accountability.
