Alex OttI, governor of Abia Stste, has said that his administration has so far committed over N40 billion in offsetting arrears of salaries and pensions owed by previous administrations in the state.
Otti disclosed this at the Umuahia Township Stadium, during the grand finale of the activities marking his second year anniversary in office.
He noted that his administration has ended the dark era of owing civil servants and pensioners in the state.
The governor said that he has through regular payment of salaries, provided civil servants the platform to plan ahead, He further stated that he has equally put a stop to partial payment of pension as pensioners now receive their full monthly pensions alongside civil servants on 28th of every month.
He said that he has equally retrofitted the long abandoned Old Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, which now accommodates over one thousand workers.
He also said his internet initiative which would launch Abia civil service into a paperless era would soon commence, as provision of network for all Abians would take effect by end of the year.
“When we came in, salaries were being owed. Pensions were also being owed. Some of our institutions of higher learning, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, had lost accreditation.
“Within 24 months, we have spent well over N40 billion in payment of arrears of salaries and pensions. And, I’m glad to report to you today that as we speak, I’m not sure we are owing anybody.
“At the moment, one of our vendors is working to ensure that we digitalize our operations. Computers have been made available, and very soon, the old practice of carrying files up and down will be a thing of the past.
“By the end of this year, December 31, precisely, if you are in any part of Abia State, you can be sure to get network and Internet connectivity.
“Of course, the first ever Abia Digital Mall, and that is to be competed with other e-commerce platforms so that you can, from the comfort of your home, place an order and the goods will be delivered right to your doorstep,” Otti stated.
The governor highlighted his achievements in education, road infrastructure, health and security among others.
He emphasized on the proposed medical city and its potentials, which is intended to address the medical needs of all people from Nigeria, reverse medical tourism, which statistics show that Nigeria spends between $2 to $2.5 Billion Dollars annually to take care of health outside Nigeria.
“The idea of the medical village is that anywhere you are in Nigeria, if you think of proper Healthcare delivery system, you will think of Abia State.
He said that his administration is moving in the right direction “What we are doing as a government is to create the enabling environment for our businesses to thrive.
“So, when you see the roads that we are building, when you see us retrofitting the markets, when you see us cleaning up the environment, we are doing that, so that your businesses will thrive.
“I want to thank you for the massive support that we received before the election, during the election, and most importantly, after the swearing-in on May 29, 2023. We cannot take your support for granted.
Otti further thanked Abians for the massive support he has continued to receive from them, and assured that the third year of his administration would witness the sustained momentum in line with the theme of the event.
Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South Senatorial District and Ginger Onwusibe, member, representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Constituency in their speeches on behalf of the National Assembly while affirming the earlier position of their counterparts at the State House of Assembly in throwing their support for the Governor, maintained that, there is no vacancy in Abia Government House in 2027.
Emmanuel Emeruwa, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and Austin Mmeregini, Deputy Speaker, moved a motion in support of the second term bid of Governor Alex Otti, saying that he has performed credibly in office .
They passed a vote of confidence on the governor in approval of his leadership style and assured him of their continuous support to achieve good governance in the state, and described him as a gift to Abia.
David Ogba Onuoha in a goodwill message on behalf of the business community in Abia said that the governor’s two years in office has been 2 years of restoration.
He thanked the governor for redefining governance in Abia State and assured of the support of the business community to his administration.
