Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has shed light on why some civil servants failed the recent promotion and confirmation examinations. Speaking during his December media chat at the Government House, Umuahia, he attributed the failures to a lack of adequate preparation by the affected workers.

The Governor emphasized that no civil servant would lose their job for failing the exams. However, those who do not pass will remain in their current positions until they succeed. “If you don’t prepare well for an exam, there’s a greater chance of failing,” Otti remarked, stressing the importance of merit in the state’s civil service. He also noted that Abia would no longer follow the old practice of allowing everyone to pass promotion exams without proper assessment.

On the issue of corruption, Governor Otti revealed that some civil servants are under investigation for allegedly stealing pension funds. He assured the public that the government is committed to transparency and will not tolerate the misuse of public funds. Additionally, he has directed the Accountant General to ensure that retirement benefits owed to former Permanent Secretaries are paid promptly.

Regarding security, the Governor highlighted ongoing collaboration among South East governors to address insecurity in the region. He also vowed to investigate allegations of extortion by security agents operating along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway to ensure fairness and justice for transporters.

Governor Otti’s administration continues to focus on reforms, accountability, and security to create a better Abia State for all.