Nvosi (Abia): Governor Alex Otti of Abia says his administration is committed to resolving pension challenges through honest dialogue and inclusive decision-making.
Otti said this on Tuesday when the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
He noted that resolving the pension challenges in the state required collaboration, deep reflection, and goodwill from all parties involved.
He clarified that the backlog of pensions predates his administration, but expressed his willingness to manage the situation.
He said that the exact figure of the pension backlog had remained unclear, as pension obligations continued to grow with ongoing retirements.
He also stated that there was a political will to resolve the issue and expressed confidence in finding a viable solution.
The governor recalled inviting the state NUP leaders to his office upon assuming office to begin talks on the pension crisis.
He also recalled that his administration secured N10 billion to offset part of the pension arrears based on the amounts owed.
According to him, pensioners who owed N1 million or less were paid in full, while those with larger amounts received partial payments.
Otti noted that, despite the intervention, the state NUP leaders misrepresented the facts and frustrated genuine efforts at reconciliation.
Earlier, the National President of NUP, Mr Godwin Abumisi, urged the governor to forgive the state chapter of the Union and reopen discussions.
Abumisi said that the document signed by the state leaders of NUP with the government concerning gratuity was signed in ignorance and should be set aside in good faith.
“Whatever document they signed with the state government concerning their gratuity was signed in ignorance.
“I am here to plead with you to discard that document. After they signed it, they reported to me in Abuja, and I said it was not done.
“We are not here today to argue whether they did it or not. Your Excellency, I plead that you forgive them; they don’t know what they are doing,” he said.
Abumisi also commended the governor for prioritising salaries, pensions, and infrastructure, describing him as a “star performer”.
Otti, however, immediately thereafter set up a negotiating team to be led by Mr Godson Anucha, his Special Assistant on Labour Matters, to revisit the state pension challenges.
Other members of the team include the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, as well as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi.