‘We Have Not Been Paid Since 2024,’ Abia Health Workers Protest Salary Delay After Service Extension

Health workers in Abia State have protested the non-payment of their salaries, nearly two years after the state government approved an extension of their service years.

The affected workers, including nurses and personnel from the Hospital Management Board and the Ministry of Health, staged a demonstration on Tuesday at the Office of the Accountant General in Umuahia. They demanded immediate action to commence payment of their outstanding salaries.

According to the workers, the state government in 2024 extended their retirement limits from 35 to 40 years of service and from 60 to 65 years of age, in line with a federal directive. Following the policy, they said they underwent screening and were formally reinstated.

Despite meeting all requirements, the workers allege they have not received any salaries since their return to service.

One of the protesters, Mrs. Egendu, said the delay has left many in financial difficulty. She noted that while the extension was approved, implementation has stalled without explanation.

“We complied with all directives and completed the necessary processes, but payment has not started,” she said.

The workers also raised concerns about those who opted to retire instead of continuing under the extension. According to them, such individuals have been unable to process their pensions and gratuities.

They called on the Office of the Accountant General to intervene and resolve the issue without further delay.

Responding briefly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Obi-Anakwalam Elechi, said the Ministry of Health is expected to provide verification codes and forward them to the Accountant General’s office before payments can proceed.

Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, were unsuccessful as of Tuesday, as calls and messages seeking comment were not answered.