Abia Govt Spent N9bn To Pay Pension Arrears – Commissioner

Mike Akpara, Commissioner Of Finance For  Abia State, has disclosed that Abia State Government spent N9 billion to clear the backlog of pension arrears that accumulated during the tenure of past administrations in the state.

The Commissioner who disclosed this during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, said some pensioners received up to N8 million.

He, however, explained that the State Government did not obtain any loan facility to liquidate the arrears but cleared them with “its savings”.

” We did not borrow because of the financial prudence of Government; we paid from Government’s savings”, the Commissioner enthused while responding to Vanguard inquiry.

Otti who had during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023 promised to wipe pension arrears in the state before the end of December 2023, later shifted the deadline to the first quarter of 2024, citing the enormity of funds involved.

He, however, on the eve of Easter celebration, directed that the backlog of pension arrears be cleared, a development that triggered wide jubilation across the state as pensioners started receiving bank alerts of their payments.

The Commissioner said that the Governor also directed that henceforth, Abia pensioners would be paid their full pension on the 28th of every month same day workers in active service receive their salaries.

Recall that the previous administration at a point, started paying half pension to pensioners, thus worsening their plights.

The Commissioner further said that a Help Desk had been set up at the Ministry of Finance to sort out complaints of any omissions in the payment of pension arrears.

Admitting that there were still few pensioners who had issues with their verification, he directed any pensioners with complaints to approach the Help Desk, assuring that any genuine claims will be quickly addressed.

On the fuse over the actual years covered by the payment, the Commissioner said the payment was based on the agreement the leadership of Pensioners reached with Government.

” We had agreement with the leadership of Pensioners, and Government did exactly what was agreed. Anyone in doubt should ask the leadership of Pensioners in the state because they were involved in the agreement.

In his contribution, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said Gov. Alex Otti, had resolved to end the ordeals of workers and pensioners in the state, assuring that henceforth, they will be given their due entitlements.

He said that Otti’s administration would not toy with Abia workers’ welfare, declaring that it is unjust to deny workers of their wages.

Ekeoma who assured that any pensioner ommitted in the payment probably because of verification issues or for any reasons, would definitely be accommodated.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said that the State Executive Council, had approved the reconstruction of 3.5 kilometer Ekeakpara Road from Osisioma Junction Aba.

The road which leads to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Depot Osisioma, has been in deplorable condition for years.

He said the road would be paved with concrete drainage system for durability.

Kanu said that Governor Otti was committed to the infrastructural development of the state as a major enabler for economic growth.

He noted that all the road projects in different parts of the state were going as planned, and would be delivered on record time.

Contributing, Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, said all was set for the 10-day free medical mission by the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas, ANPA, scheduled for Thursday, April 4.

She said that over 7000 patients had registered for the exercise including hundreds of surgery cases that would be handled by a team of 65 medical experts from America.

The mission which is in partnership with the State Government, is aimed at providing quality health care services to the people.