Workers of the Abia North Local Government Area have taken to the streets in protest over the non-payment of their December salaries and 13th-month bonuses. The workers, armed with placards, voiced their frustration at what they described as gross mismanagement of the biometric system responsible for payroll processing.
The protesters blamed Chris Ugwunmadu, the consultant overseeing the biometric system, for persistent errors that flagged many of them as absent or inaccurately recorded their attendance percentages. “I reported to work every day in December, yet the system claims I was absent for 17% of the time. This is unacceptable,” said a visibly upset worker from the finance department.
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The workers revealed that the biometric discrepancies had caused widespread hardship, leaving many unable to provide for their families or afford basic transportation. Despite Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to timely salary payments and his reputation for being worker-friendly, the flawed biometric system has left over 100 employees without their wages and bonuses.
“We appreciate the governor’s efforts in ensuring funds are released for salaries and bonuses, but the consultant’s inefficiency is sabotaging his good work,” lamented another worker.
The protesters highlighted that the 13th-month bonus, which does not depend on biometric verification, had also not been paid, raising further questions about the management of their entitlements.
The workers demanded immediate intervention from Governor Otti to resolve the issues and ensure timely payment moving forward. They also threatened to boycott the biometric logging system until their grievances are addressed.
This protest underscores the urgent need for accountability and efficiency in payroll management to prevent similar crises in the future.
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