The Abia State Government has announced plans to pay salary arrears owed to workers in state-owned higher institutions in installments. Commissioner for Finance Mike Akpara revealed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Umuahia, the state capital.
Mr. Akpara emphasized the current administration's commitment to ending the cycle of unpaid wages, stating, "A worker deserves his wages." He disclosed that the administration inherited N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed to employees in state-owned educational institutions.
The government has resolved to clear these arrears while maintaining progress in other sectors of the economy. Mr. Akpara noted, "We need to jump-start the state's economy, and for money circulation to improve in Abia, we need to stop going to bed by 7 p.m. The governor has set machinery in motion to ensure that salary arrears become a thing of the past."
He explained that the arrears would be paid in installments to avoid disrupting progress in other sectors. The payment process is expected to begin by July or August and be completed by the end of the year.
The salary arrears, totaling N16.5 billion, affect various state-owned institutions, including Abia State University (ABSU), the College of Education in Arochukwu, the College of Health Sciences, the Abia State Polytechnic in Aba, and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
Mr. Akpara stated that the government had already paid April and May salary arrears for ABSU workers. He criticized the previous practice of subventions being given without ensuring salaries were paid, leading to substantial arrears in many institutions.
He detailed the arrears owed to specific institutions: "The past government owed Abia Polytechnic 33 months, the College of Education Arochukwu 22 months, and Abia State University 11 months. The Hospital Management Board was owed several months, leading to strikes. We also have ASUBEB and SEMB, with total arrears exceeding N4 billion."
The government is committed to addressing these arrears while continuing to foster development across other sectors of the economy.
