Over three billion naira has been released by the Abia State government to clear backlog of pensions and salaries owed workers in some parastatals in the state.

Out of the figure, N828 million was for salaries arrears of Abia State Hospital Management Board workers, N520 million was for Pensioners in the state while secondary school teachers got N983 million for arrears.

Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, ASCETA, received 12 months salary arrears, four months subvention was released to Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, two months subvention for Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, and 3 months subvention for Abia State University, Uturu.

Briefing newsmen at Government House, Umuahia, Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, explained that the payments commenced last week. He attributed the challenge in regular payment of salaries to government workers to the activities of some heads of parastatals who he accused of hiring excess staff.

Dr Chikamnayo, who spoke in the presence of the Commissioner for Documentations and strategic communications, Ugochukwu Emezue, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, insisted that civil servants in ministries were not being owed by government.