Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has reaffirmed that his promise to clear all outstanding salary arrears of Abia workers by December 2023 remains sacrosanct regardless of the huge sum of money involved.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Finance, Mike Akpara, revealed that his administration inherited N50 billion salary arrears from his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, besides other humongous debts.
Akpara, however, assured that under Otti ‘s watch, payment of workers would remain a priority.
He reaffirmed Otti’s determination to accomplish his campaign promises, especially clearing salary arrears owed civil and public servants in the State, by the last administration.
“We are telling Abia people that the promise we made to them, saying that on or before December 31, stories of the arrears of salaries will be a bygone issue and it is going to be sacrosanct and we will deal with it as expected of us,” he said.
“Pensioners will be paid, gratuity will be paid, salaries will be paid when due, and other things that are due to Abians as pertaining to dividends of democracy will definitely come to them.
“Let’s just be patient. This rot was done in not less than 24 years, so it is not going to be something that will be freed up in the next two months.
“But with time, with God on our side, with the zeal in us, I am assuring Abia people that they will be taken care of, the good days are coming”.
The commissioner said the governor initiated the ongoing verification and harmonisation of civil servant in order to truly ascertain the State’s genuine workforce.