The Abia State Government has announced plans to commence payment of salary arrears owed to former local government councillors who served between 1999 and 2022, in a move aimed at ending years of financial hardship.
Governor Alex Otti made the announcement on Sunday in Umuahia, stating that payments would begin before the end of the month and would be disbursed in batches.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors, Otti said the decision was taken to promote fairness, restore dignity to those affected, and resolve long-standing salary disputes inherited from previous administrations.
He explained that when the matter was first brought to his attention, he was unaware of the legal cases and other complications surrounding the arrears.
“I later realised that some people were already in court, while others had been paid through court orders,” he said. “So I decided that we should bring everything together and resolve it properly.”
Otti stated that his administration remained committed to addressing inherited challenges, stressing that leadership should focus on resolving problems and improving the lives of citizens.
He emphasised that all workers, including former councillors and pensioners, deserved equal treatment.
“Every labourer deserves his wages,” the governor said. “We stand for justice and fairness, and we will always do what is right.”
The governor commended the association for withdrawing all court cases related to the unpaid salaries, describing the move as a significant step towards reconciliation and mutual trust.
“I was told that there are no cases in court again,” he said. “That shows confidence in this government, even before payment has started.”
He assured the former councillors that the settlement process would commence before the end of the month.
He also directed the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu, to assist in formalising the association’s structure to improve coordination and communication.
In their remarks, Onwusibe and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Meregini, commended the administration for prioritising workers’ welfare and resolving long-standing payment issues.
They urged the former councillors to continue cooperating with the government to ensure the smooth implementation of the payment process.
Earlier, the Association’s Coordinator, Tony Agbayim, expressed appreciation to the state government for concluding plans to clear the arrears, describing the decision as a major relief to members.
“For many years, our welfare was neglected,” Agbayim said. “Some of our members suffered serious hardship, and some even died without receiving what they were owed.”
He praised the current administration for the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, as well as improvements in working conditions and infrastructure across the state.
Agbayim stated that the settlement of the arrears had restored hope and dignity to former councillors, marking the end of a painful chapter in their public service.
He assured that members of the association would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting fairness, accountability, and workers’ welfare in Abia State.
