The Abia State Government has promised to clear the salary arrears owed workers in the civil service in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara, made this known on Tuesday during a press conference in Umuahia.
He noted that the government will clear the arrears so that the advancement it recorded in other sectors of the economy will be sustained.
The minister stressed that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is committed to changing the narrative of owing workers salaries because, according to him, a worker deserves his wages.
He also disclosed that the present administration inherited a debt of N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed to workers in state-owned institutions of learning.
While assuring the people that the payment of the salary arrears will commence soon, he stated that it will be paid in tranches.
“We need to jumpstart the economy of the state, and for the velocity of money to improve in Abia, we need to stop going to bed by 7 pm.
“For salary arrears, the governor has set up machinery in motion to ensure that salary arrears will become a thing of the past.
“One thing I will promise is that it will be paid, but it is not going to be in one sweep.
“We will do it in installments so that it does not hamper the progress of other sectors of the economy,” he stated.
Akpara further noted that the government would commence payment of the salary arrears owed workers of state-owned institutions of learning by July or August 2024, with the hope of completing payments by the end of the year.
