Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed that civil servants and pensioners in Abia State will be prioritized for salary payments before political officeholders receive their pay.
In his Easter message to Abia citizens, Otti expressed concern over the prolonged delay in paying pensions to retirees by previous administrations in the state. He emphasized that it was regrettable that those who had served the state diligently were denied their rightful pensions for an extended period.
“The joy in the faces of the retirees stemmed from the fact that they were owed for too long,” Otti remarked.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that senior citizens and civil servants receive their entitlements promptly, stating that pensions would be paid in full by the 28th of every month, coinciding with the day civil servants receive their salaries.
Otti emphasized that political officeholders would only be paid after fulfilling obligations to pensioners and civil servants.
“I have directed that full pensions must be paid on or before the 28th of every month, the very same day civil servants in the state get their salaries. As a rule, political office holders will only be paid after our obligations to our senior citizens and civil servants have been fulfilled, in full,” Otti affirmed.
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He expressed gratitude to the executives and members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in the State for their confidence in his administration, emphasizing that the welfare of Abia people was a top priority.
Otti also highlighted the improved security situation in Abia, stating that it had become one of the safest states in the country. He encouraged both Abia indigenes and visitors to explore opportunities for tourism and investment in the state without fear.
In conclusion, Otti congratulated Abia people and Christians in general on the celebration of Easter, assuring that no part of the state would be neglected in terms of development under his administration.
