Abia Government to Pay Long‑Overdue Salaries to Former Councillors

The Abia State Government has unveiled plans to start paying long‑overdue salaries owed to former local government councillors who served from 1999 to 2022. Governor Alex Otti said the payments would be released in phases, aiming to resolve the backlog before the end of the month.

Governor Otti acknowledged that the issue had been complicated by ongoing legal disputes and the sheer size of the arrears. He assured that his administration is committed to resolving the matter fairly and efficiently, urging all concerned parties to cooperate to facilitate the process.

The governor described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to fairness and accountability for all government workers, past and present. He stressed that addressing inherited financial obligations is a priority for his administration.

Leaders of the former councillors’ association welcomed the announcement, describing it as a long‑awaited relief for those who served at the local government level. They expressed optimism that the phased payments would restore dignity to former officials and strengthen trust in the state government.