The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has disclosed that the delay in salaries and arrears of pensions he promised is a result of fictitious figures and numbers that cannot be confirmed.
Otti disclosed this Saturday while speaking at the special thanksgiving service of the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha at the Nkwoegwu Central School, in Umuahia North LGA, assuring that at the end of this month, confirmed salaries and arrears of pensions shall be paid and pleaded with the people to be patient.
The governor used the opportunity to explain that the debt left by the immediate past administration was enormous and vowed to offset it while assuring that he would not spend time responding to distractions and would not give excuses.
Otti further disclosed that his full cabinet would be constituted by the end of this month, stating that setting up the cabinet would enable the government to run properly while adding that the recent inauguration of the State House of Assembly would give impetus to the effective running of the government.
He lamented that Umuahia, the capital city of Abia is like a glorified village, announced that in the next three months, his administration would begin the process of transforming the city to enhance its aesthetics, and solicited the support from all and sundry.
Earlier in his exhortations during the church service held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi advised the celebrant that “It is not yet time to rejoice, but time to humble selves before God and ask for His grace”.
According to him, “The politics of Abia State have just changed. If not the Lord is on your side, you would not have been what you are today.
“It is not an easy journey. The government has been messed up so that whatever you do, it seems you have not done anything. We had leaders who make policies without studying the situation. There must be this thing on the ground to make this work.
“If we must support fuel subsidy, there must be something that should be on the ground (to cushion it)”.
He further advised Aguocha, “The problem of Ikwuano/Umuahia Constituency is going to be on your head and all will be inviting you for every occasion. Be faithful to God as you need the prayers of the church.
“As a former President General (of Ohuhu), your responsibility cannot be compared to that of your present position. Forget about money and do the assignments given to you to avoid EFCC.
“Begin now to build a structure based on God which you will use for your second tenure”.
Earlier in his speech, the host and member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha thanked God for the opportunity to be elected to represent his people and the success of the inauguration while pledging not to let his people down.
