Abia PDP Decries Endless Verification Exercises, Urges Governor Otti to Alleviate Workers’ Hardship | #NwokeukwuMascot

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The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong disapproval over the persistent verification exercises imposed on civil servants by the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti. The party described the repetitive process as an unnecessary burden that has caused significant hardship for workers in the state.

In a statement issued by the State Publicity Secretary, Eric Ikwuagwu, the PDP highlighted that within the past 18 months, Abia workers have undergone no fewer than ten verification exercises. This, according to the party, has resulted in frustration and immense stress for the state’s workforce, raising questions about the efficiency of the government’s purported investments in information and communication technology (ICT).

The statement titled, “Abia PDP Condemns Repetitive Verification Exercise an the Hardship Inflicted on Abia Workers” The party queried the location and functionality of the ICT infrastructure which the government claimed to have built with over four billion naira, given the continuous inefficiency in streamlining the verification process.

The statement reads in full, “The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to express deep concern over the undue hardship and frustration that Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration has continously subjected the hardworking civil servants of Abia State to, through repetitive and unending staff verification exercises.

“In the last 18 months, Abia workers have endured this process no fewer than ten times. This unnecessary repetition has caused immense stress and suffering to Abia workers. For a government that claims to have spent over four billion naira (N4bn) on ICT infrastructure, this persistent inefficiency in creating a once-and-for-all foolproof workers' verified data bank leaves much to be desired and question about this  ICT infrastructure  location remains unanswered. 

“While we acknowledge the importance of accountability and transparency, the endless verification exercises have gone beyond acceptable limits and have become counterproductive, moreso when government has claimed to have made sufficient investment in ICT infrastructure as contained in its quarterly financial reports published by the Accountant General of the state. 

“A responsible government should leverage its alleged three billion naira (N3bn) investment in capacity building and another seven billion naira ( N7bn) in research/Development to train staff with requisite capabilities to effectively streamline verification processes, and not repeatedly subject Abia workers to endless verifications. 

“We, therefore, call on Governor Alex Otti  to immediately halt this cycle of hardship and frustration imposed on Abia workers via endless verifications. While other state Govenors are attending to the welfare of their workers this yuletide, Abia Govenor in contrast, is busy stressing Abia workers with another round of verification without addressing the issue of noncompliance to payment of the Seventy thousand Naira (N70k) new minimum wage. 

“Abia workers have been grossly shortchanged, the government must find ways to prioritize their welfare and finally put an end to the incessant verification exercises. 

“The PDP remains committed to standing with the hardworking people of Abia State and will continue to hold the government accountable to ensure that their rights and welfare are protected.” Ikwuagwu concluded.