By Obinna Nedu
In a move to address longstanding grievances and restore fairness, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has directed the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic to commence the verification process for staff who were dismissed by the previous administration while still owed salary arrears.
The governor’s decision aims to ensure that the affected workers receive their due payments and justice is served.
The directive came after years of outcry from the sacked employees, who were laid off under controversial circumstances during the tenure of the former government.
Many of these workers had reportedly gone months, and in some cases years, without receiving their salaries before being abruptly terminated. The issue has been a point of contention in the state, with affected staff and their families calling for redress.
Governor Otti has however, stated that the verification exercise is a critical step toward resolving the matter.
“I have directed the Rector of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic to start the process of verifying the affected staff so that we can get them paid. It is unacceptable for workers to be owed salaries and then dismissed without recourse. We are committed to righting the wrongs of the past,” the governor declared.
The verification process is expected to involve a thorough review of employment records, dismissal notices, and outstanding salary claims. Once completed, the state government will work out modalities to settle the arrears and, where possible, reinstate affected staff who meet the necessary criteria.
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