Reprieve may soon come the way of Pensioners in Abia State as the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has finally announced his readiness to revisit the controversies surrounding the payment of pension arrears by his administration.
Speaking this Saturday at the 80th birthday Interdenominational thanksgiving Service in honour of Senator Chris Adighije held at the Federal Medical Center, FMC Chapel, Umuahia, Governor Otti declared that he would revisit the pension matters in consultation with the leadership of the Union of Pensioners to address outstanding issues and find a lasting resolution.
The Governor assured that he would revisit the pension matters in consultation with the leadership of the Union of Pensioners to address outstanding issues and find a lasting resolution.
The Governor who was reacting to a plea by the Chaplain of the FMC Chapel to revisit the issue regarding payment of pensions, blamed the leadership of pensioners for their role in the crisis.
While accusing the leadership of the Pensioners in the State of complicity in the non-payment of pensions during previous administration, he restated his resolve to addressing the challenges facing pensioners in the State.
“Thank you for calling our attention to the issue of pension that had become problematic and I want to thank you for being honest and that’s what it is.
“I have maintained that our senior citizens and pensioners are very honest people, very very honest. The problem is with their leadership and the problem of the leadership has to do with association.
“When you said nobody was paid pension in 2018, you are very correct. Not one dime was paid, but the leadership was part of the reason why nobody was paid.
“Even when they were going into an agreement with me, they probably didn’t believe that payment will be made. And when I made the payment, they now went round to say they didn’t sign so that’s angered me but because you have said it, I will have a second look at it”, the Governor promised.
The Governor while revealing his long-standing relationship with Sen Chris Adighije described the Celebrant as a man of integrity and selflessness.
“ For me, he is more than a good man. He is a man that will put his life on the line for you if he believes in your cause.
“That was why when I came out to contest, in 2014, it didn’t matter to him that we are not in the same party but he supported me publicly”, Governor Otti said.
Preaching a sermon earlier, the Chaplain, FMC Chapel, the Very Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu, who spoke on the Topic; “What Are You Known For?”, drawing his text from Hebrews 11:1-2, admonished Christians to strive to do good at all tmes bearing in mind that all they have was given by the Almighty God.
Rev Onyeukwu who lauded the Governor for his numerous developmental strides across all sectors of the states economy, including the timely payment of workers salaries and pensions however appealed to him to “allow mercy prevail over judgement”, by reconsidering his stance on the pension issue.
The ceremony featured the commissioning of the Senator Chris Adighije Health Insurance Complex (SCAHIC BUILDING), a complex named after the celebrant by the Board and Management of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia in appreciation the roles Sen Adighije played during his tenure as the Chairman of the FMC Board.
The event attracted Notable Nigerians including a former Senate President, Sen David Mark, Minister for Finance and coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edu, Governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodinma, Past and present members of the National Assembly including, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Austin Akobundu, Nkechi Nwogu, Chris Ngige, Members of the State Executive Council, as well as People from all walks of life.
Recall, Governor Otti and Pensioners being paid by the Abia State Government have been in loggerheads as a result of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement signed by the Government and the leadership of Pensioners which compelled the senior citizens to forfeit the arrears of their pensions and Gratuity.
