‎Abia Govt to Clear Over 20 years Unpaid Gratuities

Governor, Alex Otti of Abia State has promised to clear over 20 years of unpaid gratuities, totaling N60 billion, owed pensioners by previous administrations.
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‎Otti who made the announcement during the November edition of his monthly media briefing, “Governor Otti Speaks,” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, added that the payments will be made in phases.
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‎His statement followed the submission of a report by a committee jointly set up by the National Body of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and members of his administration to verify outstanding gratuities dating back to 2001.
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‎He described the committee’s findings as disheartening, pointing out that the total verified outstanding gratuities amount to over N60 billion.
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‎Otti assured pensioners that payments would commence gradually. “One thing I would like to assure the pensioners is that their gratuities will be paid in phases. We will begin the payment gradually.”
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‎The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to timely payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, adding that the state is up to date on salaries.
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‎He also promised that newly recruited teachers would receive their salaries by the end of the weekend and emphasised that all future recruitment for teachers and medical personnel would be transparent and merit-based.
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‎On education, Governor Otti announced that the State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, has regained accreditation for 24 courses that were previously unaccredited.
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‎He highlighted ongoing infrastructural upgrades, including improvements to roads, hostels, lecture theatres, and classrooms, aimed at enhancing teacher training.
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‎Also, Otti disclosed that additional buildings have been completed at the permanent site of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, noting the institution’s contribution to the state’s environmental initiatives.
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‎“Our students produce the ASEPA refuse buckets used across the state. If you see a bucket around your neighbourhood, it was made by our students at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic,” he said.
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‎Governor Otti also listed progress in land administration, stating that his government has issued 30,562 Certificates of Occupancy in the past two and a half years.