By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Gov. 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 backlog of pensions had remained uncleared as pension obligations kept growing with ongoing retirements.
He also said that tgere was a political will to solve the problem and expressed confidence in finding a workable solution.
The governor recalled inviting the state NUP leaders to his office on assumption of office to begin talks on the pension crisis.
He also recalled his administration securing N10 billion to offset part of the pension arrears based on amounts owed.
According to him, pensioners owed N1 million or less were paid in full, while larger amounts received partial payments.
Otti noted that in spite of 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 the state leaders of NUP signed 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 at Abuja and I said it is 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 thereafter immediately set up a negoriating 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 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.
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