Abia State Owes Pensioners N21bn.

Abia State commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko has said that the state government is in pension arrears of over N21 billion, adding that the government has commenced efforts to liquidate the amount. Uko stated this while addressing journalists on the current verification of pensioners in the state in his office in Umuahia, the state capital, while assuring that the exercise will address the challenge squarely.

He said, “It is the desire of the government and our expectation that at the end of the exercise, we will not return to the era of pension arrears. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu desires that pensioners should enjoy the benefits of their active service years.” He said that one of the benefits of the exercise involving over 50 Information Communication Technology (ICT) experts is to ascertain the genuine pensioners to ensure that it is regular and seamless, going forward.

The commissioner further said the government is not unmindful that there might be some irregular names on the payroll, therefore the need to regularize and update the list. He said, “So, we need to know what is the quantum of arrears to be able to know how to liquidate it in the coming months. What is different from what we are doing is that there have to be a finger and facial capture.”

Explaining that the 10-day exercise will be conducted at designated centres across the state, the commissioner added that ambulances, free-medical services and, entertainment would be provided for the pensioners. Uko, who maintained that the exercise is solely for state pensioners, added that the ambulances will be used for both emergencies and reaching out to sick and incapacitated pensioners who could not make it to the centres in their homes.