Governor Alex Otti says his administration is committed to resolving pension challenges through honest dialogue and inclusive decision-making.
Mr Otti said this on Tuesday when the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
He noted that resolving the pension challenges in the state required collaboration, deep reflection, and goodwill from all parties involved. The governor clarified that the pension backlog predates his administration but expressed his willingness to manage the situation.
Mr Otti said that the exact figure of the backlog of pensions had remained uncleared as pension obligations kept growing with ongoing retirements. He also stated that there was a political will to resolve the issue and expressed confidence in finding a viable solution.
The governor recalled inviting the state NUP leaders to his office upon assuming office to begin talks on the pension crisis. He also recalled that his administration secured N10 billion to offset part of the pension arrears based on the amounts owed.
According to him, pensioners who owed N1 million or less were paid in full, while those with larger amounts received partial payments.
Mr Otti noted that, despite the intervention, the state NUP leaders misrepresented the facts and frustrated genuine efforts at reconciliation.
Earlier, NUP national president Godwin Abumisi urged the governor to forgive the Abia chapter of the union and reopen discussions.
Mr Abumisi said that the document signed by the state leaders of NUP 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 didn’t know what they were doing,” he said.
(NAN)