𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his administration is ready to begin phased payment of gratuities and pension arrears that have piled up since 2001.

Otti made this known during his monthly media chat at the Government House in Umuahia on Friday night. He explained that the state government had concluded a thorough review of all outstanding claims and worked closely with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners to verify legitimate entitlements.

According to him, the joint committee set up between the pension union and his administration recently submitted its report, confirming that the total verified backlog exceeds ₦60 billion. He described the accumulated debt as “a massive burden spanning more than two decades,” but stressed that government must take responsibility for inherited liabilities.

Otti assured senior citizens that the era of neglect was over, adding that the payments would be made gradually in a structured manner. He reiterated that salaries for active workers remain fully up to date, noting that staff welfare is a top priority for his administration.

Speaking on other welfare issues, the governor disclosed that a payment glitch affecting newly recruited teachers was being resolved immediately. He directed all relevant officials to ensure every affected teacher is paid before the end of Sunday.

Otti also announced that the state’s recruitment portal had reopened to engage 4,000 additional teachers. Within two weeks, the portal attracted 27,980 applications. He promised that the process would remain fully transparent and merit-based, assuring applicants that no political interference would be tolerated.

The governor added that recruitment of healthcare workers was nearly complete, with applications also received from outside the country. He highlighted a recent SBM Intelligence rating that ranked Abia as the most prepared state for medical emergencies, and another ranking showing Abia as the most affordable for intra-city transportation.

He revealed that the state’s newly acquired electric buses would begin operations before year-end to further reduce transport costs.

On infrastructure, Otti said road construction had resumed statewide following the end of the rainy season, with contractors instructed to accelerate delivery. He also announced major progress in land administration, revealing that Abia had issued 30,562 Certificates of Occupancy in two and a half years under the state’s 30-day C-of-O policy.

The governor confirmed that revenue recovery efforts were being applied uniformly across the state, stressing that debt recovery now follows due process, including demand notices and court orders.

He added that the government continues to invest in school renovations, curriculum upgrades and perimeter fencing. He announced that 24 courses at the Abia State College of Education (Technical) and Architecture had regained accreditation, alongside ongoing development projects at Abia State University and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.

Otti also noted improvements in power supply, rehabilitation of NYSC camp facilities in Bende, and additional support to the Nigerian Correctional Service, including new perimeter fencing and a holding centre to ease congestion.

On the issue of state pardon, he said his attempt to exercise his prerogative of mercy was delayed because none of the 1,900 inmates assessed fell under minor offences. He has, however, ordered another review ahead of the year-end.