Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has begun settling the outstanding salaries owed to workers in state institutions by previous administrations, News About Nigeria reports.
The payment of the arrears salaries by the governor, which commenced yesterday (Friday), was made public by the state commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu.
According to Kanu, the payment of the arrears salaries is in line with Governor Otti’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.
He therefore listed the institutions, which include Abia State University Uturu, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State College of Education, Technical Arochukwu, Abia State Teaching Hospital, Aba, and Health Management Board, Umuahia.
Others listed include the state-owned institutions of higher learning, including the College of Health Sciences, Aba, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, and the Secondary Education Management Board, among others.
In the statement released, Kanu said, “The office of the Accountant General has commenced the payment of the arrears to all verified workers amounting to N17, 629,767,342,09 (seventeen billion, six hundred and twenty-nine million, seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand, three hundred and forty-two, nine Kobo only). The Abia State Government wishes to state that the payment will follow a 12-month amortisation plan with the first batch already disbursed to the affected institutions.
“This structured payment is meant to ensure that other areas of governance do not suffer from a lack of attention due to limited financial resources. By this development, the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration has once more demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and sustenance of the welfare of Abia State civil servants at all times.”
