PRESS STATEMENT — for Immediate Release
CEHRAWS COMMENDS GOV. OTTI’S LANDMARK INCREASE IN NYSC ALLOWANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONHESS, URGES SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, TRANSPARENCY —TRANSPARENCY WITH STRONG CALL TO ADDRESS RETIREES AND STAFF PAYMENT IRREGULARITIES
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) welcomes the recent policy initiatives of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, in which the monthly allowance of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Abia State has been dramatically raised after nearly 30 years of stagnation, and the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers at State and local government levels has been undertaken. These steps signal a bold shift toward youth, workforce development, and improved human capital in the State.
By increasing the monthly allowance for NYSC members to a base of ₦20,000 plus additional incentives (rising for those State Government establishments, teaching and medical personnel) and by upgrading the NYSC orientation camp infrastructure in Bende LGA, the Otti administration demonstrates a willingness to invest in the talent and future of the youths. In the health sector, equalising salaries with federal levels via CONHESS conveys strong recognition of the value of frontline service‐workers. Together, these reforms reflect the constitutional and moral imperatives under Section 14(2)(b) and Section 17(3)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for government to direct policy toward “the security and welfare of the people” and “that conditions of work are just and humane.”
However, CEHRAWS wishes to draw attention to pressing outstanding human rights and labour‐justice concerns in Abia State that must be addressed in parallel, in the spirit of holistic public service reform and credible governance.
1. Unpaid Pension and Gratuities for Retirees
✓ Reports show that retirees in Abia State continue to face unpaid pension arrears and gratuities. For example, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) recently declared that the State Government has yet to provide a clear roadmap for clearing pension arrears and poor gratuities owed to senior citizens.
✓ The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Abia State has also challenged the Government’s purported Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which, they allege, coerced pensioners into forfeiting 45 months of pension arrears and gratuities.
✓ As of October 2024 retirees publicly lamented that only part of the arrears were paid (10 months under the current administration), while the bulk (45 months from previous administrations) remain unpaid.
✓ In March 2025, the Government admitted inheriting approximately N30 billion in pension arrears and unspecified unpaid gratuities but the matter remains unresolved.
CEHRAWS therefore urges the Governor to publicly commit to:
i. Publishing a full, transparent ledger of pension and gratuity liabilities owed by the State;
ii. Immediately commencing phased payments beginning with the oldest, medically vulnerable and most financially insecure retirees;
iii. Rescinding or renegotiating any MoA that effectively forces forfeiture of lawful entitlements, in line with the principle that pension and gratuity are earned rights, not discretionary benefits;
iv. Establishing a stakeholder consultation mechanism with NUP and other retiree-groups to monitor implementation and prevent recurrence.
2. Salary Payment Inconsistencies and Payroll Integrity
✓ The State Government recently dismissed six staff of the Ministry of Justice in connection with a salary-padding scheme involving manipulation of payroll systems, unlawful receipt of excess salaries, and suspected complicity of some members of the Salary Committee.
✓ While disciplinary action is welcome, such findings raise deeper concerns about systemic payroll integrity, equity in salary payments, and fairness for rank-and-file workers whose entitlements may similarly be at risk or delayed.
CEHRAWS calls on the Government to:
✓ Expedite a full audit of the State’s payroll system, from Governor’s Office through to Local Government staff, with public disclosure of results;
✓ Ensure that the new allowances (NYSC, health professionals, etc.) do not come at the expense of fair treatment of all categories of state workers, including teachers, social service workers, and other public servants;
✓ Introduce a robust, permanent grievance-redress channel for public servants to report salary payment anomalies without fear of victimisation.
3. Linking the New Abia Reform Momentum with Accountability and Sustainability
The investments in youth, service corps members, and health personnel are welcome and necessary. Yet, true transformation demands that the Government pull every leaver of institutional practice, including retirees and public servants into a system of transparency, fairness and sustainable financing. The risk is that if the “new era” bypasses those who have long served or those still serving under unequal conditions, public trust will erode and the reform agenda may lose moral legitimacy.
In conclusion, CEHRAWS reaffirms that the progressive increase in NYSC allowances and implementation of CONHESS reflect commendable leadership. Equally, however, it is imperative that the same urgency, clarity and equity be applied to retiree entitlements and payroll integrity across the State service. Failure to do so would undermine not only the rights of citizens but the credibility of the New Abia reform.
Signed:
OKOYE, CHUKA PETER.
Executive Director, CEHRAWS
Email: cehraws@gmail.com |
WhatsApp: +234(0)808-035-1242.
