The Abia State government has asserted that property owners received compensation prior to the ongoing demolition along the Ossah-Okpara Square axis in Umuahia.
Njum Onyemenam, the State’s Accountant General, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday and stated that claimants who had provided accurate bank account details had already received their payments.
Onyemenam confirmed, “We have received confirmations that claimants have already started receiving their monies, that is the current status. Claimants who have provided us with their current bank details have received their payments.”
She advised claimants with accounts at the old Diamond Bank, who may not have received their payments, to obtain alternative Access Bank account numbers to facilitate receipt of funds. She explained that the old Diamond Bank is not compatible with the state’s payment platform.
The Accountant General acknowledged that many claimants had not yet provided their data, assuring that once they provide correct details, they would receive their payments. She stressed the government’s desire to prevent payments from going to the wrong individuals.
For those who have not received payments, Onyemenam advised them to contact the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), whose responsibility is to forward their details to the AG’s office.
Regarding salary payments for public workers, the AG noted that her office had already initiated the disbursement of September salaries in accordance with Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to pay workers’ salaries on or before the 28th of each month. She added that those who missed previous payments would be included in the September salaries.
While emphasizing that pensioners are a top priority for the State government, the Accountant General mentioned that a verification exercise would be conducted for them, ensuring it would be conducted in a stress-free environment.
