Governor Alex Otti has stated that his administration has committed over N40 billion to clear arrears of salaries and pensions in the past two years.

Mr Otti said this on Thursday during an event organised to mark his administration’s second anniversary in Umuahia.

The governor said this move was aimed at restoring dignity and financial stability to the state’s workforce and retirees. He said prompt salary and pension payments had become an integral part of the system, with workers now paid by the 28th of every month.

Mr Otti added that pensioners now receive full monthly payments, ending the era of partial disbursements that retirees experienced.

He also announced the full renovation of the previously abandoned Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, now housing nearly 1,000 civil servants.

The governor revealed efforts to digitise government operations and phase out manual filing systems through the provision of computers. He also said an agreement with MTN would ensure full network coverage across the state by December 31, 2025.

Mr Otti said the state would also be witnessing the development of the first Aba Digital Mall by MTN, aimed at boosting e-commerce and local trade.

Mr Otti reiterated his resolve to allocate 20 per cent of Abia’s budget to education and confirmed that smart schools were under construction across all 17 local government areas.

According to him, Abia’s free basic education policy had increased enrolment, prompting the transparent recruitment of 5,300 new teachers earlier this year.

He also disclosed that another 4,000 teachers would be recruited to match the growing student population across public schools.

The governor assured equal opportunities for all, regardless of state of origin, ethnicity, or religion, during the exercise.

On health, he stated that over 100 primary healthcare centres had been renovated, with commissioning scheduled to begin on June 1. Mr Otti also said that renovations were ongoing at ten general hospitals and two specialist centres to improve healthcare delivery in Abia.

Mr Otti revealed plans for a medical village to tackle outbound medical tourism and position Abia as Nigeria’s healthcare hub.

(NAN)