By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Umuahia, May 1, 2026
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, on Friday, announced that the State Government earmarked over N10 billion in the 2026 fiscal year for the payment of arrears of gratuities.
Otti disclosed this in his goodwill message to Abia workers as they celebrated this year’s International Workers’ Day in Umuahia.
The theme of the celebration was “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work”.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, explained that the fund was earmarked to clear the more than 20 years accumulated gratuities.
He described the gesture as part of his administration’s efforts to correct longstanding injustice against retired workers.
“The modalities for the phased payments have been concluded and disbursement shall commence in the weeks ahead, even as verification of claims continues,” he said.
Otti also said that the government remained committed to addressing inherited liabilities without affecting its capacity to meet current obligations to workers.
According to him, workers’ welfare remains a critical component of his administration’s agenda.
He said that his government had remained faithful to its promise of prioritising the interest of workers.
The governor also emphasised that the State Government had invested in workplace infrastructure, technology, training and capacity development programme, aimed at improving productivity and service delivery in the public sector.
He commended workers for their resilience and dedication, describing them as critical drivers of economic growth and institutional stability.
“The Abia workforce has become a reference point in resilience, character and good faith.
“Your services and products have given our dear state its unique identity and opened doors of opportunities to households and communities,” Otti said.
He also praised the leadership of labour for sustaining harmonious relations with the government.
In a speech, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr Kingsley Nwokocha, said the government would continue to engage and dialogue with the organised labour to ensure continued industrial harmony and improved productivity.
Nwokocha said the government remained focused on evolving policies and programmes that would protect the rights and dignity of workers, while boosting productivity across the system.
He urged workers to support the efforts of the present administration toward building a more productive, prosperous and inclusive economy.
Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Ogbonnaya Okoro, described the theme of the celebration as a reflection of the realities confronting Nigerian workers.
Okoro said that an average worker faced daily threats in the course of discharging official duties, lamenting that insecurity and poverty had become major obstacles to decent work in the country.
“Fellow workers, the truth must be told: the Nigerian worker today is under siege, not from a foreign enemy but from twin monsters: insecurity and poverty that have grown fat on our neglect.
“These forces have become the greatest obstacles to decent work in our nation,” he said.
Okoro, therefore, appealed to government to increase its efforts to ease the hardship workers endure, as a result of the prevailing economic situation in the country.
In his address, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Ifeanyi Eze, commended the State Government for paying over N40 billion salary and pension arrears inherited from past administration.
Eze also lauded the government for allocating about 80 per cent of the state’s budget to capital expenditure, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to infrastructure upgrade and socio-economic development.
He, however, urged the government to expedite action in addressing pressing issues affecting workers in the state.
The Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abia, Dr Helen Okpara, called on government to prioritise security and workers’ welfare, describing security as critical to effective governance.
Okpara advocated for a new security architecture rooted in community intelligence, technology and accountability to address the growing insecurity confronting workers and citizens.
Okpara urged employers and business owners to promote decent work conditions and end the casualisation of permanent roles.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, urged workers to align themselves with the rebuilding agenda of the present administration to enhance the socio-economic development of Abia.
Onwusibe described Labour Party as a party founded on the ideals and interest of workers, urging Abia workers to join the party and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
