Local government workers in Abia State recently took to the streets to protest the non-payment of their December salaries and 13th-month bonuses. The aggrieved employees, primarily from the Abia North Local Government Area, voiced their frustrations while carrying placards, blaming errors in the biometric system used to process their payments.
During the protest, the workers accused Chris Ugwunmadu, the consultant engaged by Governor Alex Otti’s administration, of negligence and inefficiency. According to one of the workers, “I came to work every day, yet the biometric report claimed I was absent 17% of the time. This is unfair.”
The protesters explained that the alleged biometric errors have caused significant hardships, leaving many unable to provide for their families or afford transportation to work. They acknowledged that while Governor Otti has implemented worker-friendly policies and ensured the timely release of funds for salaries and bonuses, the consultant’s lapses have undermined these efforts.
“The consultant’s inefficiency is the real issue here. It has caused unnecessary suffering for workers who depend on these payments, especially during the festive season,” another worker lamented.
The workers further expressed disappointment over the non-payment of their 13th-month bonuses, noting that this payment is not tied to the biometric system and should not have been delayed. They also claimed that previous promises to resolve the issue have not been fulfilled, leading to growing frustration among the affected staff.
Over 100 employees are reportedly impacted by the payment irregularities. In response, the workers have vowed to boycott all biometric logging activities until the matter is resolved. They urged Governor Otti to intervene promptly to ensure their salaries and bonuses are paid without further delays.
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