Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has revealed that his administration will begin the gradual payment of verified pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 2001.
He made the announcement during his monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, noting that the state government had reviewed all pending claims and worked closely with the pension union to verify outstanding gratuities before taking payment decisions.
“The committee we set up with the national body of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners and members of my administration has submitted its report. It is disheartening that pensions have remained unpaid since 2001. The total verified arrears amount to over N60 billion,” Otti said.
The governor described the arrears as a significant liability inherited from previous administrations. He said government is continuous and must address both assets and liabilities. “We are committed to finding a solution,” he added.
Otti assured pensioners that their gratuities would be paid gradually while emphasising that workers’ salaries are up to date and staff welfare remains a top priority.
He addressed a recent payment glitch affecting newly recruited teachers, stating that all affected personnel would receive their salaries by the end of the weekend. The governor also announced the reopening of the recruitment portal for 4,000 teachers, noting that 27,980 applications were received in two weeks. He promised that the recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based.
Regarding medical personnel, Otti said recruitment was nearly completed, with some candidates coming from outside Nigeria. He highlighted Abia State’s recent rankings, including being the most prepared for medical emergencies according to SBM Intelligence and topping the Kevlin Index for intra-city transport affordability.
The governor said newly acquired electric buses would be deployed before the end of the year to reduce transport costs. He also reported progress in road construction after the rains and improvements in land administration, with 30,562 Certificates of Occupancy issued in two and a half years under the C-of-O-in-30-days policy.
Otti added that revenue recovery efforts would be applied fairly to all debtors. “We do not act without demand notices and a court order. Adequate revenue is essential for government to function,” he said.
He further highlighted ongoing school renovations, curriculum upgrades, and the accreditation of 24 courses at Abia State College of Education (Technical) and Architecture. He also reported developments at Abia State University and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, where students produce waste buckets used by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency.
The governor said allowances for National Youth Service Corps members had been increased from N4,000 to between N20,000 and N50,000. He noted that roads, streetlights, and water facilities at the NYSC camp in Bende had been rehabilitated.
Otti also described efforts to support the Nigerian Correctional Service, including constructing perimeter fencing and a larger holding centre to decongest cells. He said the exercise to grant mercy to minor offenders was delayed because none of the 1,900 inmates qualified. “I have asked the Zonal Coordinator to review again as we approach year-end,” he said.
