The Abia State Government (ABSG) has assured judiciary workers that it will settle outstanding payments within 48 hours if the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN provides evidence that leave bonuses are not included in their consolidated salaries.
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The clarification follows the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by JUSUN in the state.
Speaking at a press briefing at Government House, Umuahia, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the government has yet to receive documentation proving that judiciary workers are not already receiving leave bonuses as part of their salary structure.
He explained that the union had requested payment of leave allowance, prompting the Office of the Accountant General to demand details showing how the allowance was calculated and confirmation that such benefits had not previously been paid. However, the requested information has not been provided.
Uwanna noted that findings by the government indicate that judiciary workers’ consolidated salaries already contain a component referred to as “leave bonus,” which may be the same as the leave allowance being demanded.
According to him, once the union provides evidence to the contrary and it is verified, the state government will act swiftly.
“If the union presents evidence and it is confirmed that there is no leave bonus component in their salary, payment will be made within 48 hours,” he said.
The Attorney General also raised concerns over the union’s refusal to participate in a staff verification exercise initiated by Governor Alex Otti. He stated that the development has affected the payment of pensions to retired judiciary workers.
Uwanna disclosed that the verification exercise for judiciary staff was scheduled to begin on the same day the strike commenced, urging the union to cooperate with the process.
He appealed to JUSUN to suspend the strike to enable the verification exercise to proceed and allow pensioners to begin receiving their entitlements.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, reiterated the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that steps are being taken to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy within the civil service.
Similarly, the Accountant General of the state, Njum Onyemanam, emphasized that payments can only be processed upon submission of proper documentation by the judiciary.
She clarified that the judiciary manages its own payroll and must follow due process by submitting payment vouchers before any disbursement can be made.
The state government, therefore, called on JUSUN leadership to cooperate with authorities to resolve the impasse and ensure that affected pensioners receive their payments.
