PDP’s Gov Ikpeazu Reacts to Non-Payment of Abia Civil Servants’ Salaries Amid End of Tenure
- Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state has responded to criticism that his administration does not pay civil servants salaries
- During a live telecast interview, Governor Ikpeazu said the allegations do not have any ounce of truth in them
- He stated that his administration pays the salaries of the core civil servants despite facing three recessions
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Abia, Umuahia - Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state says accusations against him that he does not pay the salaries of civil servants and pensioners in the state are false.
As reported by TheCable, Governor Ikpeazu, during a live telecast interview on Thursday, March 30, said his administration had settled the salaries of core civil servants in the state.
Source: Twitter
His reaction was in response to allegations from the governor-elect, Alex Otti, who disclosed that the state government owes workers and pensioners in Abia state salary.
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It was gathered that pensioners in the state staged a demonstration on the streets of Abia in the last quarter of 2022 to protest a 45 months unpaid pension by the state government.
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However, Governor Ikpeazu revealed that the issue of non-payment of pensioners had been a prevalent issue that has been on for over two decades and a half.
Governor Ikpeazu further noted that he had paid 29,000 workers out of 31,000 civil servants in Abia state but noted that the remaining 2000 workers are not core civil servants.
My administration suffered three recessions - Gov Ikpeazu
On why he did not pay them, Governor Ikpeazu said:
“I do not pay their salaries because they are revenue-generating agencies of the government.
“I don’t run away from responsibilities. The issue of pension has been there perennially since the past 24 years."
The governor revealed that he did his best to ensure civil servants were being paid as when due while noting that his administration was hit with three different recessions.
He said:
“For somebody to come and make a sweeping statement that salaries are not being paid, that is a lie.
“I’m not owing any core civil servant any salary.”
After Losing Abia State to Labour Party, Ikpeazu Sacks Several Aides
In another development, the Abia state government has sacked several political appointees after PDP's loss in the just concluded election.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, after sacking his appointees, directed the state accountant general to ensure the immediate payment of their March 2023 stipends.
The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, disclosed that those affected included special assistants and senior special assistants.
Alex Otti Trade Words With Ikpeazu Over Alleged Employment Racketeering in Abia Civil Service
Meanwhile, Alex Otti, the new governor of Abia state has levelled a fresh allegation against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The LP governor alleged that Ikpeazu engaged in illegal employment in different ministries and parastatals, and the employees were issued backdated employment letters.
Interestingly, Ikpeazu replied to Otti and urged him to be patient until he takes over from him, but until then, he is still in charge.
Source: Legit.ng
