Abia begins payment of gratuities, resolves ABSU strike issues

The Abia State Government has started paying gratuities to eligible recipients, in addition to settling the issues that triggered a strike at Abia State University, Uturu. Governor Alex Otti presided over a state Executive Council meeting where a press briefing was held by Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu. After setting up a committee to manage the gratuity payments, the committee identified the outstanding liability to be N61.8 billion, encompassing both state and local government retirees.

The amount was broken down as N7.2 billion between 2001 and 2010, N43.6 billion from 2011 to 2023, and N10.9 billion from May 29, 2023, to the present. Taking into account the consequences of delayed payments on retirees' lives, the commitment of the government, the constraints on its ability to meet obligations while promoting state development, and the efficiency of the payment process, the committee proposed that the annual financial impact from 2026 to 2031 be fully allocated in the state's medium-term expenditure framework and yearly budgets.

Kanu stated that payments must be made directly to verified beneficiaries through a special gratuity payment platform connected to the state's treasury single account (TSA). The strike at Abia State University, Uturu, was resolved due to the state SSG-led committee's intervention, which also addressed workers' demands that led to the strike.

The new salary scale for university staff and outstanding dues were implemented, and it is expected that all issues related to ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) have been resolved. Governor Otti's administration remains dedicated to working with ASUU and other organized labor unions while prioritizing workers' welfare.