News
Abia Pension: PenCom Commends Gov. Otti for effective, sustainable scheme
By Editor, Umuahia
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has commended Governor Alex Otti, OFR, for an effective and seamless pension scheme that will outlive his tenure.
PENCOM gave the commendation on Tuesday, December 3, at the Umuehim Nvosi country home of the governor when the Director General of the body, Ms. Omolola Bridget-Oloworaran led some top officials of the commission on a working visit to the governor.
Ms. Bridget-Oloworaran commended governor for clearing backlog of pension arrears which he inherited upon assumption of office and also signing the Abia State reform Pension law 2024 passed by the State House of Assembly.
In her words, “I am happy with the steps that Abia state has taken in passing the state’s Pension Reform Law 2024.
” Your Excellency, I want to thank you for these great steps (1) signing the law and (2) your commitment to wanting the CPS (Contributory Pension Scheme) to stay not just during your tenure but long after you have gone.
“Abia State is poised to become a mother of sustainable development for employee’s welfare and I believe setting an example across the whole South East because as at today, there is no state in the South East that is fully compliant under the Contributory Pension Scheme.”
“If Abia State moves fast, you be able to set an example across the whole of the South East region and I dare say across the country in terms of some of the controls that you have put in place to ensure that this scheme not only survives your own tenure.”
She said that the Abia State pension Law was thoroughly worked on, but pointed out some areas that the state government needed to look into towards establishing an effective and seamless pension scheme among which are employees Biometric verification, working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to open or generate codes for employers, constituting the Pension Board, remittance of contributions to the CPS and including Pensioners in Health Insurance among others.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the PenCOM DG and her team for coming and for their positive words and comments about his administration including the recently signed pension laws.
“We are also glad that the law we passed last month received a very kind commendation from you. We are not experts in this, we just sit back and ask ourselves, what can we do for this people that may not be able to do so much for themselves at this time, who have also spent the active years of their lives working for the State,” the Governor said.
On the issue of the pensioners, the governor said, “When we came in, we found that some of them where being owed for so many years, up to 2014. We felt that we needed to sit down with them, find a way to take it out completely. “
What we have done from this year is to ensure that close to 12,500 pensioners in the State receive 100% of their pensions every month. Speaking further, he said, “We think that it is the right way to go, to setup a system where whether we are in power or not in power, they can be sure that their monthly stipend comes regularly. Whatever it is, that it will come and they can live their normal lives.“We are actually at the verge of setting up the board but needed to ensure that everything is in order.”
He assured that the government will heed to the advice on the management of the funds, both from the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension fund Custodians (PFCs) as well as keep to the pension law and work on all points raised to ensure a seamless system for the State.On health Insurance, Governor Otti said, “Interestingly, we setup an Abia Health Insurance Agency which has started working and we started with civil servants. Just last month, I set aside 500 million as marching fund for civil servants into the Abia State Health Insurance Agency”.“We will be thinking on how to ensure that the pensioners can benefit from it, maybe we have to increase the funds.”
The Governor said that availability and accessibility were key in implementing health insurance, noting that if Primary, Secondary and Tertiary healthcare systems are not working, no matter how much insurance or free healthcare you provide to attend to the healthcare needs of the people, nothing will work.Governor Otti asked the Pencom DG and her team to come back again and again to provide the needed guidance to the Government’s team towards creating a perfect pension scheme for the State as there was no need reinventing the wheel.
Governor Otti recently assented to the Abia State Reform Pension law passed by the Abia State House of Assembly.
News
Internal Security: Governor Otti reveals security is priority in Abia
By Editor , Umuahia
Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has attributed the relative peace in the state to the team work that is evident among security agencies in the state.
The governor stated this while speaking to a team from the office of the National Security Adviser during a working visit to him in his country home in Nvosi.
In a press statement signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the governor told the team led by Barr. Abdullahi Bello that “all efforts towards a safe, peaceful and secured Abia may not be in the public domain, all that matters is the results being achieved.
‘These efforts manifested in the just concluded yuletide as there were little or no reports of security breaches across the State,” Gov. Otti noted.
Governor Otti said that his administration attaches priority to issues of security. He noted that the most important part of governance is security, adding that if security is threatened, nothing works.
Governor Otti said that the visit provided opportunity for both parties to learn from one another.
“For us, the most important part of governance is security. If security fails, every other thing fails, so we attach top priority to issues around security, that is why we’re excited to have you here to give us all the support that you can and you too can learn from us,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Barr. Abdullahi Bello said that they were in the state for “victim impact assessment.” He commended Governor Otti for his various achievements, especially in the areas of infrastructure and security.
News
Strengthening policing: Abia CP Isa receives Abia born new constables
Stephanie Clems, Umuahia
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, has received a total of 199 new constables of Abia State origin deployed to serve in the state.
Addressing the constables, he reminded them of the reason of their deployment to their local communities to begin service.
This is in alignment with the vision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) which is to promote community policing and foster people-friendly practices.
CP Isa further urged them to make good use of the training and discipline instilled in them at the police college.
He instructed them to remain civil, professional, and to shun all forms of corruption, indiscipline, misconduct, or any behavior unbecoming of an officer.
He further warned that any such actions would attract necessary disciplinary measures.
He advised them to learn practical police functions diligently and to carry out their duties in the fear of God.
Human angle
Humanitarian act: Mrs. Otti donates cash, food items, groceries, others to Charity homes in Abia state.
By Editor, Umuahia
The wife of the Abia state governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has extended her benevolence to six orphanages in Aba and Umuahia.
She a total cash donation of six million to the six centres as support to the vulnerable groups with each home receiving a million naira.
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There were also gifts of 50kg bags of rice, (30), other food supplies, and toiletries.
In her milk of kindness, caregivers in each facility were given cash support to appreciate their dedication and hard work.
Mrs. Priscilla Otti who was represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the less privileged and ensuring their welfare is made a priority .
She applauded the coordinators and caregivers for their selfless dedication to humanitarian services, particularly their care for vulnerable children.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs Maureen Aghukwa, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas also expressed gratitude to Mrs. Otti for her impactful initiative of appreciating the caregivers for their tireless efforts in providing care and support.
In their various responses, leaders of the benefitting homes, including Rev. Sister Maria Anita Ogbonna of DMMM compassionate home and Madam Oyibo Okonkwo of Agape Charity Home commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti and his wife for their compassion and focus on the welfare of less privileged homes.
They prayed for God’s blessings and wisdom upon them as they continue to serve the state.
Recall that earlier in the year, Mrs. Otti personally visited Susana Homes at Ukwa East, where she donated ₦1,000,000, Bags of rice, food items, and other essentials to further support their operations.
The benefitting homes of the donations are DMMM compassionate home, Ahiaeke- ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000, Agape Charity Home, Avodim, Ipupe-Amuba Ubakala – ₦1,000,000Caregivers: ₦150,0003, So-Said Charity Homes for Vulnerable Persons, Amibo : ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,0004.
Also St. Vincent De Paul Center for Mentally and Physically Challenged Persons, Umuafai Ndume Ibeku: ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000, Ngwa Road Motherless Babies Home – ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦150,000 and SDA Motherless Babies Home: ₦1,000,000, Caregivers: ₦100,000.
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