Abia Govt to Pay Ex-Councillors 22-Year Salary Arrears
The Abia Government has announced plans to settle outstanding salary arrears owed to former Local Government Councillors who served between 1999 and 2022.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia made this known on Sunday during a meeting with members of Association of Former Elected Councillors, in Umuahia.
The governor stated that payments of the arrears accumulated under previous administrations would commence before the end of the month, and will be settled in batches.
He explained that when the proposal on the arrears owed former councillors was first brought to him, he was not aware of the issues involved, including ongoing court cases.
Otti said that he insisted that his administration would address and resolve all inherited challenges, because he believed that leadership should be about stewardship and problem-solving.
He noted that leaders were elected to tackle existing difficulties and it behoves them to live up their responsibilities.
Otti said that all government workers, whether core or non-core civil servants, including pensioners deserve equal treatment and payment.
He stressed that every labourer deserves his wages, affirming that his administration stands for justice and would always “uphold what is right and fair.”
The governor commended the association for withdrawing its court case over the unpaid salaries’ issue.
“When we looked at everything, we found that there was need to do a little bit more work, because some people were in court, some people had been paid based on court orders.
“I said, okay, let’s harmonise all this; bring out all the matters in court, because when people go to court, they feel injured, they feel treated unjustly.
“So since we are going to deal with everything, all the matters in court should be brought out and I want to thank all of you, because I’m told that there is no matter in court anymore.
“Every one of them has been brought out and that builds confidence, because you haven’t been paid, but you already have chosen the path of reconciliation.
“So I am told that everything should be set by the end of this month; so what that means is that by the end of this month, we will start the payment.”
Otti noted that some former councillors were his long-standing friends and assured all the councillors of equal treatment, regardless of political affiliation.
The governor directed the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzo Nwachukwu, to formalise the association’s structure.
In their separate remarks, Onwusibe and the Deputy Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Mr Austin Meregini, lauded the governor’s inclusive approach in addressing the matter.
They urged the councillors to mobilise support for the Otti-led administration across their wards.
Also, the National Secretary of Labour Party, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, commended the state government for addressing the councillors’ concerns.
Nwokocha urged the councillors to join Labour Party and obtain the party’s membership cards.
He described the party as a platform of conscience and dignity, committed to justice under Otti’s leadership.
Earlier, the Association’s Coordinator, Chief Tony Agbayim, thanked the government for concluding plans to offset the arrears, describing the move as redemptive.
He lamented that previous administrations neglected their welfare, causing hardship and the death of some members.
Agbayim commended the present administration for prompt salary and pension payments as well as transforming Umuahia into a befitting state capital.
He said that the governor had restored Abia’s pride and dignity by rewriting what they called a troubling chapter in the state’s history.
Agbayim said that the councillors had endorsed Otti as their sole candidate for future aspirations. #Abia Govt to Pay Ex-Councillors 22-Year Salary Arrears#
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