We Will Not Deny Abia Workers, Pensioners Their Entitlements – Abia Govt.
The Abia State government has reassured workers and pensioners in the state that it will not deny them their entitlements, in response to concerns raised by a governance advocacy group.
Speaking during a radio program, The Platform, on Wednesday, Obinna Don Norman, convener of Abia for Good Governance, raised concerns about the government’s handling of pensioners’ welfare.
“Since the inception of this administration, Abia pensioners have never received a dime in this, in pension, pension allowance. They have not. This is 20 months and counting,” Norman said.
In response, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Media and Publicity, addressed the concerns, stating that the government is committed to ensuring that workers and pensioners receive their entitlements promptly and fairly.
“It’s very important to state that the government is not interested in denying anyone what is due the person,” Ferdinand stated.
He further emphasised that the government has commenced the payment of pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants, and has also embarked on several road construction projects across the state.
“They are receiving their salaries. There could be one or two omissions, you know, skeletal omissions of that. And the government is committed to resolving the problem,” Ekeoma added.
Regarding the allegation that the government is merely renovating existing roads rather than constructing new ones, Ekeoma stated that the government has completed several road projects and has commenced work on new ones, including the reconstruction of major highways and rural roads.
“We have commissioned several roads that were newly built by the government. And on the roads, most of them came with drainages. All of them came with street lights.
“I like to take up a challenge. So, after this program, I’ll tell you to call the man. Let me take him to Aba and show him those roads, even here in Umuahia, where he is from,” he said, referring to Don Norman.
The Special Adviser assured that the government is committed to ensuring that Abia State workers and pensioners receive their entitlements, and will not be swayed by “misinformation and petty politics”.
We Will Not Deny Abia Workers, Pensioners Their Entitlements – Abia Govt. is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
