NEWS
GOV. ALEX OTTI SPEAKS TO ABIANS: GOV. ALEX OTTI VOWS TO TACKLE 24-YEAR GRATUITY BACKLOG AS VERIFIED PENSION DEBT HITS ₦16 BILLION GOVERNOR
....as Governor Otti Reassures Workers’ and Retirees at November Media Parley in Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to confront and resolve the long-standing gratuity crisis inherited from previous governments, revealing that verified outstanding gratuities owed pensioners since 2001 have now exceeded ₦16 billion.
Governor Otti made the disclosure on Friday during the November edition of the Monthly Media Parley tagged “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians,” held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia. The session provided a platform for the Governor to address critical issues affecting the State, with pension and workers’ welfare taking centre stage.
The Governor explained that the Committee jointly set up by the National Body of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and members of his administration had formally submitted its report on the backlog of unpaid gratuities. He noted that the Committee’s review followed persistent appeals from pensioners seeking relief after decades of neglect.
“The Committee that we set up between the National Body of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners and members of the administration has just handed their report about outstanding gratuities.
“If you recall, after appeals had been made, we decided to look at it again and we have done that”, Governor Otti said.
Giving further insight into the report, Governor Otti described the findings as deeply troubling, confirming that arrears of gratuity dating back to more than two decades remained abandoned by previous administrations.
“It is disheartening that pensions have remained outstanding since 2001. The total verified outstanding pensions is in excess of 60 billion Naira. That is a large number. These are debts incurred dating back to over 20 years ago.
“We have always maintained that the government is a continum. Whatever you hand over, you deal with it. If it is assets, if it is liability, you pick all of them. We are unafraid to work out a solution”, Gov Otti said.
While acknowledging the enormous financial burden, the Governor hinted that his administration would soon outline a clear strategy for settling the liabilities, strongly suggesting the adoption of a phased payment arrangement to ensure sustainability.
“One thing I would like to assure the pensioners is that their gratuity will be paid gradually. The way my mind is working is that we will have to begin the payment gradually”, Governor Otti assured.
He further reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees, stressing that his administration has remained consistent and up to date in the payment of salaries, pensions, and other entitlements.
With the verified backlog of gratuity debt now laid bare, Governor Otti’s assurances signal what may become the most significant pension reform effort Abia has witnessed in decades, as thousands of retired workers look forward to long-awaited relief afte
r years of abandonment.