Abia Government Pledges to Clear N16.5bn Salary Arrears

The Abia State Government has announced that Governor Alex Otti is committed to addressing the N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed to employees of state-owned educational institutions. Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Tuesday, Abia Commissioner for Finance, Mike Akpara, assured that the arrears would be paid in instalments to avoid disrupting other economic advancements.

Akpara detailed that the Otti administration inherited significant salary debts from previous governments, including 33 months of unpaid salaries at Abia Polytechnic, 22 months at the College of Education in Arochukwu, and 11 months at Abia State University (ABSU). Additionally, the Hospital Management Board and other institutions faced substantial salary arrears.

The commissioner highlighted that the government had already made progress, paying April and May salaries owed to ABSU workers. He stated that the process of clearing the remaining arrears would start between July and August, with the goal of completing payments by the end of the year.

To prevent future salary delays, the Otti administration has moved away from the previous “generate and use” model, which had proven ineffective. Instead, they are implementing a more structured approach to financial management. Akpara also emphasized the importance of supporting the government’s policies and programs, urging residents to refrain from criticizing the governor prematurely.

He clarified that the current administration had not applied for new loans but was completing the loan processes initiated by the previous government with the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. These loans have not yet been disbursed, and the government is managing its resources prudently.

Finally, Akpara mentioned that ongoing verification exercises would ensure accountability and efficiency in the civil service, aligning with the government’s commitment to delivering the benefits of democracy to the people of Abia State.