Abia Gov Unveils Plan to Clear Backlog of Salary Arrears Owed to Ex-Councillors

The Abia State Government has announced plans to settle long-standing salary arrears owed to former Local Government Councillors who served between 1999 and 2022.

Governor Alex Otti revealed this on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia.

He said the arrears, which accumulated under previous administrations, would begin to be paid before the end of the month and would be disbursed in batches.

Otti explained that when the issue was first brought to his attention, he was not fully aware of the complexities involved, including ongoing court cases.

He emphasised that his administration is committed to addressing all inherited challenges, describing leadership as a responsibility to solve existing problems.

“All government workers, whether core or non-core civil servants, including pensioners, deserve equal treatment and payment,” he said. “Every labourer deserves his wages. My administration stands for justice and will always uphold what is right and fair.”

The governor also praised the association for withdrawing its court case over the unpaid salaries, noting that all matters had now been harmonised.

“When we looked at everything, we found that there was a need to do a little bit more work because some people were in court, some had been paid based on court orders.

“So since we are going to deal with everything, all matters in court should be brought out. I am told there is no matter in court anymore,” Otti said. “Everything should be set by the end of this month; we will start the payment.”

Otti assured all councillors of equal treatment regardless of political affiliation and directed Chief Ginger Onwusibe, representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzo Nwachukwu, to formalise the association’s structure.