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Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said that the government will begin clearing outstanding salary arrears owed to former local government councillors who served between 1999 and 2022.
Otti disclosed this on Sunday during a meeting with members of the Association of Former Elected Councillors in Umuahia.
He disclosed that payments, inherited from previous administrations, would commence before the end of the month and would be made in batches.
Otti explained that when the issue was first presented to him, he was unaware of the full details, including pending court cases linked to the unpaid salaries.
He noted that his administration is committed to addressing all inherited challenges, stressing that leadership is fundamentally about stewardship and solving problems rather than avoiding them.
According to him, public officials are elected to address existing challenges and must fulfill that responsibility.
He maintained that all categories of government workers, including civil servants and pensioners, deserve fair and equal treatment, adding that anyone who has worked is entitled to receive their wages.
“All government workers, whether core or non-core civil servants, including pensioners, deserve equal treatment and payment.”
He assured the former councillors that his administration would stand by the principles of justice and fairness.
The governor commended the association for withdrawing its court cases regarding unpaid salaries, noting that some members had previously secured payments through court orders, while others had ongoing suits.
He said the government decided to harmonise all claims to ensure a uniform approach, adding that members’ decision to opt for reconciliation despite not being paid demonstrated goodwill.
Otti also assured the councillors that they would be treated equally regardless of political affiliation, noting that some were long-time acquaintances.
He directed the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu, to formalise the structure of the association.
In their separate remarks, Onwusibe and the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Meregini, praised the governor’s inclusive handling of the matter and encouraged the former councillors to rally support for the administration in their respective wards.
