Manny Ita –
The Abia State Government has announced a landmark decision to commence the payment of salary arrears owed to former local government councillors who served the state between 1999 and 2022. This resolution, disclosed by Governor Alex Otti during a meeting with the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia on Sunday, aims to clear a financial debt that has spanned over two decades and multiple previous administrations. The governor confirmed that the disbursement of these long-overdue funds is scheduled to begin before the end of February 2026, with payments being processed in batches to ensure a structured and sustainable liquidation of the debt.
The decision follows a breakthrough in negotiations between the current administration and the affected former officials, who had previously sought legal redress for their unpaid wages. Governor Otti commended the association for its goodwill in withdrawing all pending court cases against the state government, describing the move as a significant step toward reconciliation and mutual trust. “I was told that there are no cases in court again,” the governor remarked, noting that the absence of legal hurdles allowed the government to fast-track the verification and payment process. He emphasized that the move was not politically motivated but rooted in a commitment to fairness, asserting that “every labourer deserves his wages.”
For many of the former councillors, the announcement marks the end of a painful chapter characterized by financial hardship and neglect. The Coordinator of the Association, Tony Agbayim, expressed profound relief at the development, revealing that the delay had taken a heavy toll on its members over the years. “For many years, our welfare was neglected. Some of our members suffered serious hardship, and some even died without receiving what they were owed,” Agbayim stated. He praised the current administration for prioritizing the restoration of dignity to public service workers and for maintaining the regular payment of current salaries and pensions since taking office.
This settlement is part of a broader fiscal strategy by the Otti administration to clear inherited liabilities that have hampered the state’s workforce morale for years. Since 2023, the government has reportedly committed over N40 billion toward offsetting various salary and pension arrears, including significant payments to judiciary workers and staff of state-owned tertiary institutions. By addressing this 22-year-old debt, the government aims to close a major loophole in the state’s financial records and reinforce its policy of ensuring that no verified worker or former official is deprived of their legitimate entitlements.
