Abia Government affirms intention to pay off pension backlog by December
The Abia Government has reiterated its resolve to pay up all pension arrears owed to its retired employees by the end of the calendar year.
At the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, Mr. Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, informed reporters of the conclusion of the State Executive Council meeting.
Kanu claimed that the choice was made in light of the governor’s election-year pledge to promote elderly welfare.
He stated that a verification exercise was being carried out to identify legitimate pensioners and added that payment will start as soon as the exercise was finished.
“Let me restate the government’s position that all unpaid pensions will be paid once the verification process is complete.
“Since this government took office, it is a promise that will be kept. It was promised throughout the campaigns.
“All outstanding pensions will be paid as soon as the verification exercise is completed before the end of the year,” he continued.
Kanu expressed his satisfaction with how effectively the verification exercise is being carried out.
He expressed confidence that the verification exercise will run smoothly and be finished on schedule by next week.
Kanu said that the exercise has received a great deal of praise for its flawless execution throughout the state.
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He claimed that the verification team made house calls to old seniors who were unable to leave their homes, instructed those who couldn’t make it in person to use the Sub-Treasury, and gave internet codes to participants who lived far from the verification centres.
Kanu continued by saying that the state’s retirees were thrilled with the exceptional attention provided during the procedure.
He added that further roads in Aba, including Kent by Ehi Road, People’s Road, Cemetery Road phase 2, and Omuma Road, would soon begin to undergo reconstruction.
According to him, the government will also pay attention to the routes Ozu Abam-Ndi Okereke-Arochukwu and Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia-Arochukwu.
Additionally, to support the government’s “Clean Up Abia Campaign,” Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), stated that additional disposable vehicles had been purchased and dispatched to Umuahia and Aba.
In order to inform the public about the importance of adopting improved waste management practises, Okereke stated that the agency was collaborating with the Abia State Orientation Agency.
He asked the populace to properly dispose of their waste and pay their ASEPA dues on time.
The freshly rebuilt Abia Warriors, Enyimba, and Abia Comets football clubs will be inaugurated on Tuesday, according to the commissioner for sports, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba.
Ananaba claimed that efforts were being made to transform the Umuahia Township Stadium into a venue of international stature.
He continued by saying that the ministry would soon start visiting state-wide schools to raise awareness about the need of encouraging pupils to participate in sports.(NAN)
