Abia State Polytechnic staff celebrate as Governor Otti pays salary arrears accumulated by previous administrations (videos)

Staff of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, could not contain their excitement on Friday, September 13, 2024, after their salary arrears were paid.

Recall that in June this year, the Abia State government announced plans to offset in tranches, the N16.5 billion salary arrears owed to staff of the state-owned institutions of higher learning by the immediate past administration.

Commissioner for Finance, Mr Mike Akpara, disclosed this to journalists in Umuahia while assuring that the government would equally pay off in batches, the arrears of salary owed to some workers in the state civil service.

Akpara explained that the present administration inherited a debt of N16.5 billion arrears owed to workers in state-owned institutions of learning. He added that the government has resolved to clear the debts while ensuring that progress in other sectors of the economy is not hindered.

On Friday, the first set of staff received their salary arrears and they were seen celebrating.

A video shared online shows the staff kneeling to thank God. They are also seen praying for their state governor.

See below.