Less than 24 hours after former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, claimed that he paid pensions regularly between 1999 to 2007 when he was governor of the state, his Newspaper, The Sun, published a story, highlighting pension outstanding dating back to his (Kalu’s) era as Governor of Abia State.
It will be recalled that during the burial of former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Elekwachi Nwogbo, ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu attacked his successor Senator T A Orji with claims that Abia pensioners have been suffering since he left office in 2007.
Responding to him at the ceremony held at Ntalakwu Secondary School Oboro on Saturday, Senator Orji stated as follows: “if there is nothing else I achieved as Governor of Abia State I can at least beat my chest and say I ended idol worship in this state. On my watch, Commissioners and appointees didn’t have to go to Okija or any other shrine to pledge allegiance to me and my mother or wife. Even the inherited debts and outstanding salaries/pensions were largely settled and I left the state as one of the least indebted in the country while adding many legacy projects that Abia people are enjoying to date”.
He went further: “it is on record that I am the only elected former Governor of this state that our people massively elected to represent them at the senate whereas others have tried many times and were rejected by our people.”
Visibly discomforted by the response of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu fled the venue of the burial as many of those at the event blamed him for the unexpected political altercations during what was supposed to be a solemn event.
In its publication of 1st July 2017 with the caption “Abia pensioners beg Ikpeazu over arrears”, Sun Newspaper highlighted outstanding arrears of pensions dating back to 2002 while Orji Uzor Kalu was governor of the state, in direct contradiction to the statement made by their publisher at the Ikwuano event.
Part of the report reads as follows:
“Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abia State Council, has called on the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to include pension arrears owed its members when clearing debts owed civil servants in the state.
Rising from a meeting at Umuahia Sub-Treasury Hall, the pensioners outlined debts owed as pension harmonisation arrears, five and half years pension arrears to retired primary school teachers from June 2002 to August 2007 and gratuities which had been outstanding since 1999.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the state chairman, Comrade C. N. Udensi and Secretary, Elder Dr. O. C. Arungwa, implored the governor to accommodate them in his promise to clear the arrears of salaries and pensions.
In a recent interview with Factnewsonline, Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku, informed that the Governor has directed that the second tranche of Paris Club refund be used to settle outstanding salaries and pensions in the state.
Copyright: Factnews on 01/07/2017
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