Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has explained why he was unable to pay off the arrears of pensions being owed to retired civil servants by the end of 2023.
Otti had at the start of his administration in May, assured that by December 2023, he would clear off the backlog of arrears owed pensioners in the state by previous administrations.
Addressing Abians in his New Year message titled “A Journey of Great Expectations”, Otti said “It’s unfortunate to report that a few challenges have conspired to ensure that we were unable to keep this promise. Based on the figures available to us, we have arranged the funds to make good this promise.
“However, before making the payment, we decided to conduct a digital verification of the pensioners. To our utter shock, we found that there were pensioners who had been owed since 2014. To ensure that the verification exercise did not add extra burden to the already owed pensioners, we took it down to them at their respective wards.
“Those who were sick or too old, had their own verification taken to their houses. At the end of the exercise, just about a week ago, the total figure required for the payment was twice the amount we had provided. While we continue to engage the National Union of Pensioners, we believe we will be able to make the payment before the end of the first quarter of the new year. If required, we may go back to the house of assembly for necessary approvals to ensure that this payment is made”.
He said on inception, “We made a solemn commitment that we shall make regular payment of salaries and pensions a priority. It gladdens my heart to report that our workers and retirees now know exactly when their entitlements will be paid and thankfully, we have never failed them. In the New Year, as we had promised, we shall review the salaries of all the employees of the State Government upwards to reflect the economic realities of the time. Work on this is in the final stages.”
He described 2024 as a year of “great cycle” for Abians, stating “2023 was a watershed moment in the political history of our great State. We have marched victoriously into the New Year. We have been called to embrace the New Year with great hope and optimism, confident that no challenge, however daunting, shall overwhelm us.
“The past year offered us the opportunity to take back our collective destiny and I am glad we drove home the message that in a democracy, power belongs to the people. Although we are still far from our desired destination, the fact, as attested to by many, including apolitical observers, and even honest partisan watchers in other political camps, is that Abia is changing for the better and a new sense of optimism is emerging about our dear state and its future.
“With our modest accomplishments in the last six months on road reconstruction and rehabilitation, reinvigoration of the health and education sectors, restoration of security in communities that had been previously overrun by criminal gangs, effective urban waste management, prompt payment of salaries, support to the economically poor and vulnerable amongst others, it is evident that we are on a mission to rebuild and restore the glory of our fatherland.
“In 2024 the state shall be investing in the critical sectors to spur economic growth, create employment opportunities and revive local businesses, particularly MSMEs. We have already been engaging members of the organised private sector to take advantage of our business-friendly policies to invest in the State, especially in manufacturing, trade and commerce, transportation, mass housing schemes, hospitality, sports and tourism.
“With technology as the heart of our transformation and reform agenda, we shall move to a new gear in 2024 starting with the digitization of the operations of our public institutions for ease of access and efficiency in service delivery and we shall continue our policy of being attentive to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.”
He urged citizens on their civic responsibilities, “particularly regular payment of taxes and other statutory financial obligations” to enable his administration to achieve its grand plans for 2024 and are “expected to cooperate with the security agencies by reporting suspected criminal activities and individuals in your communities and neighbourhoods to the nearest security station for prompt action.
“Let me repeat my earlier warning that the State Government shall not look kindly to any traditional or community leader, landlord or head of any organisation who harbours criminals. Any tolerance, subtle or open support for crime in any part of the state would be seen as an act of sabotage and the government will not hesitate to do what it must do to protect the life and property of the citizens.”
