Pensioners in Abia State are denying claims that Governor Alex Otti cleared the 45months arrears owed them.
They said that the Memorandum of Agreement with their union to waive their entitlements was a unilateral decision of the Governor whose aides forcefully made them sign at night without reading through.
Ever since Governor Alex Otti made the announcement at a church gathering in March, 2024 that all arrears of pension owed pensioners in the state have been cleared, pensioners sought to know the modalities used in offsetting the arrears as the money they received, did not match what was owed them.
They say, the Governor only paid the arrears he incurred from June 2023 to March 2024.
For them, the State Chief Executive in during his campaigns promised to clear the 45months unpaid pension arrears spread from 2014 to 2024.
They say, if he has decided to renege on his promise, he should tell Abia people.
At every meeting held, the pensioners say instead of reaching a specific agreement, the former Commissioner for Finance, Mike Akpara and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on special duties, Betty Obasi, would always tell them why the government cannot pay the arrears which amounts to 30 billion naira.
Reacting to the matter, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the actions of the NUP are politically motivated.
However, the pensioners in the state are asking for the Governor to revisit the MOA with a view to expunging the clause “waive off outstanding gratuity” leveraging on articles 7(a) and (b) of the agreement.
The Union also wants any dispute arising from the agreement to be resolved by mutual negotiation between the parties.
