Dr Nto describes the Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, as a compassionate leader who cares for the welfare of his people
Oscar Kambona
The Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, Dr Phillips Nto has expressed appreciation to Gov Okezie ikpeazu for the payment of one-year salaries of the staff.
He said the governor has by that action saved thousands of Abia families from starvation as well as preserving the dignity of the men as breadwinners.
In a statement he issued shortly after paying the one-year salaries to staff yesterday, Dr Nto described Gov ikpeazu as a compassionate leader who cares for the welfare of the citizens.
Nto, a former commissioner for finance said the governor’s magnanimity had manifested in various interventions that made it possible for the college to stay afloat in midst of daunting challenges.
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The Provost noted that the one-year salaries paid to the staff will reinvigorate them into greater productivity.
Dr Nto pledged the loyalty and support of the management, staff and students of the college to Gov Ikpeazu.
He urged the staff to reciprocate the good gesture of the governor by being more productive and committed to their duties.
TheNiche had reported in September this year that Dr Nto assured staff of ASCETA that the government was working to clear their salary areas.
Dr Nto gave the assurance while debunking claims that four staff of the institution died of hunger as a result of being owed.
He noted that out of four Staff alleged to have died of starvation, three had already left the services of the college while there had not been an autopsy by the family of the serving staff to determine the actual cause of death.
Dr Nto described as untrue the allegation by a section of the staff that workers were being owed 32 months arrears of salaries.
According to him, whereas the college is actually in arrears of salaries like other federal and state institutions as a result of the global economic crisis, those bandying the outrageous figures were engaging in vicious propaganda.
The provost said some staff who were deficient in academic qualifications and performance were disengaged two years ago. He said they are mostly the people claiming that they are owed 32 months arrears of salaries.
He then said the state government was making serious efforts to pay genuine workers of ASCETA in line with the promise of Governor Okezie ikpeazu.
