By Okwudiri Okafor, Umuahia
Abia State Government has assured restive judiciary staff that the state Governor, Alex Otti, is irrevocably committed to honouring all the terms of an agreement entered into with them on the heels of the workers’ two-month industrial strike.
Among others, the staff were demanding payment of arrears of enhanced salary structure.
Speaking to journalists Tuesday, January 28, on the details of the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting which held the previous day, the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed that all government officials whose mandate it is to effect the payment, are working round the clock to do so.
“I want to assure the people that Governor Alex Otti is a man of his words and the same goes to his appointees; we have been able to establish that we mean whatever we say,” he said.
According to him, the two groups (government and judiciary labour union leaders) came together, negotiated and came to terms, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) and an agreement, leading to the leadership of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) convening a congress last Monday to decide on whether to call off the strike or not.
He disclosed that the delay in payment of the outstanding salary arrears was due to the paperwork involved, especially as the amount involved is huge.
“We want to assure them that this would happen. The welfare of the Abia workforce is very dear to the governor,” the Commissioner stressed.
He explained that the ongoing reforms within the State Civil Service, such as the digitalization of the service, regular payment of salaries and others, are all geared towards enhancing staff welfare.
The Commissioner revealed that the digitalization of the state’s judicial system is ongoing as well as the construction of 17 court houses across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas to ensure smooth dispensation of justice in consonance with 21st standards.
Recall that the State Government and the state chapter of JUSUN on January 23, 2025 signed a MoU towards ending the strike by judicial staff.
According to the agreement, JUSUN was to convene a congress to call off the strike.
But, the leadership of the union rather directed members to continue with the strike pending when the State government commences implementation of the relevant parts of the agreement.