Abia Governor, Alex Otti Gives Reasons For Salary Deductions

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State recently addressed concerns surrounding deductions in the salaries of some civil servants, clarifying the situation during a media briefing at the Government House in Umuahia. The governor explained that these deductions were the result of a shift from using the 2018/2019 tax rates to the current tax rates mandated by the 2021/2022 tax law. This change in tax calculations, he said, led to perceived reductions in salaries, but the actual amount paid was in accordance with the updated tax obligations.

Governor Otti reassured the public that there was no foul play in the salary disbursement process, emphasizing that the funds were directly transferred from the state’s account to the beneficiaries without any interference. He also addressed concerns about salary disparities in certain Local Government Areas, attributing these issues to the same tax rate changes.

In addition, the governor discussed the payment of overtime allowances, noting that such payments are now only made when the government specifically requests overtime work. This, he suggested, might have been mistaken by some for salary deductions.

Regarding the recently announced minimum wage increase to ₦70,000, Otti confirmed that a committee had been established to evaluate the implications for all civil servants, not just those earning the minimum wage. He indicated that the state government is actively collaborating with the Nigerian Labour Congress to find a sustainable solution, given the state’s limited financial resources.

Finally, Governor Otti provided details on the distribution of palliative measures, specifically the Federal Government’s trucks of rice. He stated that the government prioritized distributing these resources to the most vulnerable members of society and the lowest-paid workers in the civil service.