Otti Orders Payment Of Entitlements To Sacked Civil Servants

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured workers who were disengaged from the state’s public service by previous administrations that they would receive all their outstanding entitlements once the verification process is completed.

Governor Otti gave the assurance on Wednesday while speaking at a grand civic reception organised in his honour by Ndi Imo in Abia at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

Responding to appeals for the reinstatement of workers disengaged between 2011 and 2012, the governor explained that although his administration had considered the request, many of those affected had exceeded the age required for active service. He therefore directed that their benefits be calculated and paid after verification.

“I have also listened to a plea about recalling those who were disengaged a long time ago, about 2011-2012. I had given that directive when Anambra people received me; it was not just for Anambra people, it was for everyone.

“The reality is that some of those people who were disengaged 15, 16, 17 years ago have become so old that they can no longer go back to their work. So what we are saying is that we will calculate their entire entitlements and pay them.

“So if you have not received your entitlement, maybe you need to show up for verification and you will be paid,” Governor Otti assured.

The governor expressed appreciation to the leadership of Ndi Imo in Abia for the reception, describing it as a strong show of support and encouragement for his administration.

He reiterated that his government remains committed to equal opportunities for every resident, stressing that recruitment into the state workforce is based strictly on competence and not state of origin.

“All of you know that in Abia State there is nothing like state of origin. When we are employing both for the healthcare and for the teaching etc, nobody wants to know from where you come from.

“What we are interested in is your capacity, what you have inside your head. We don’t care where you come from,” he said.

Governor Otti further maintained that the relationship between Abia and Imo goes beyond geographical boundaries, noting that Imo indigenes residing in Abia enjoy the same rights and privileges as Abia natives.

According to him, many families of Imo extraction have lived in Abia for generations, making any attempt to classify them as non-indigenes unacceptable.

“But for us also, we believe that the distinction between Abia and Imo is of no consequence. We are all one and the same people.

“So when you live in Abia we consider you an Abian and every benefit that is accruable to Abia people is also accruable to you.

“There are people whose grandparents lived here. Their grandparents gave birth to their parents. Their parents gave birth to them. And you want to explain to me that they are not from Abia; it’s a lie,” he said.

The governor assured residents of Imo origin living in Abia of their continued safety and inclusion in the affairs of the state, adding that his administration would continue to foster unity, inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence across ethnic lines.

He noted that the achievements recorded in the last three years represent only the beginning of greater accomplishments.

Speaking at the event, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, commended Governor Otti’s performance, saying the massive turnout at the reception reflected the confidence and satisfaction of the people with his administration.

“I can see that the people are happy with you. I can also see that you are doing very well. And that’s why they have decided to receive you today,” he said.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Perry Opara, Senator Uzodinma, who identified himself as an indigene of Mbaise and a relation of the Abia First Lady, also praised Mrs. Priscilla Otti for her support to the governor. He encouraged Governor Otti to sustain his people-oriented policies and assured him of the continued cooperation and peaceful disposition of Imo indigenes living in Abia.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze E.C. Okeke, represented by Eze Fred Nwachukwu, described Governor Otti as one of Nigeria’s best-performing governors.

He said the Otti administration has repositioned Abia as an attractive destination for investors and visitors, adding that the pace of development in the state compares favourably with that of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Also delivering goodwill messages, the National President of the South-East Town Unions, Chief Emeka Dinwe, and the Abia South Zonal Women Leader of the Labour Party, Lady Lilian Ezenobi, applauded Governor Otti’s developmental strides.

They described him as a worthy in-law and urged him to sustain the momentum, particularly in road infrastructure development.

The Chairman of the Steering Committee of the civic reception and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ndi Imo in Abia, Chief MacDonald Oguoke, represented by the Board Secretary, Chief James Odocha, said Governor Otti had revived Abia’s economy within three years after inheriting a state that was on the verge of collapse.

He highlighted achievements in education, healthcare, electricity, transportation, urban renewal and people-centred policies, noting that they have significantly improved residents’ quality of life while removing longstanding obstacles to development.

Similarly, the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Founder of the Local Boys Movement, Comrade Chukwuma Azodo, described Governor Otti as the finest leader Abia has produced since its creation.

He said the reception demonstrated the commitment of Imo indigenes in Abia to support the governor’s re-election, adding that major road projects, including the Onuimo–Abia Tower Road and the Owerrinta–Umuikaa Road, have enhanced connectivity and made transportation safer and easier.

Azodo also commended the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her contributions to the administration and pledged the continued support of thousands of Imo residents in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chibuike Achigbu, applauded Governor Otti’s transformational leadership, saying the administration has rewritten Abia’s development story through purposeful governance.

He noted that persistent flooding, which previously displaced residents and claimed lives in parts of Aba, had been effectively addressed through the government’s interventions.

According to him, the civic reception was organised by Imo indigenes resident in Abia to express their appreciation, confidence and unwavering support for Governor Otti.