The Director of Medical Services at the Abia State Health Management Board, Dr. Bamachy Onyemachi, has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene in the non-payment of his salary, which he says has been withheld for over 20 months.
Onyemachi, who spoke in Umuahia on Tuesday, said the prolonged salary stoppage had left him struggling to meet his financial obligations, alleging that his landlord had threatened to evict him and that a commercial bank had taken possession of a house he acquired through a loan after he was unable to service the facility.
He attributed the salary stoppage to a disagreement with the Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Health Management Board, Odochi Azubuike, over the management of medical equipment at the Federal Multipurpose Hospital in Ugwunagbo.
According to Onyemachi, he had advised against the removal of some equipment from the hospital on the evening of its inauguration on July 3, 2024, and subsequently involved the traditional ruler of the community.
He alleged that following the disagreement, a request was made for the stoppage of his salary and those of 20 other staff members.
Onyemachi said the affected workers were accused of refusing postings, poor attendance, absconding from duty, refusing to retire after eight years as directors and failing to appear before a verification committee.
He, however, said an investigation by the state Head of Service, Benson Ojeikere, subsequently cleared him of the allegation that he had refused to retire after eight years as a director, directing that he complete his remaining four-year tenure.
According to him, Azubuike later acknowledged his reinstatement and requested the payment of his outstanding six months’ salary to enable him carry out his duties effectively.
Onyemachi said despite subsequent correspondence from the Health Ministry and approval for his reinstatement, inclusion in the payroll and payment of 16 months’ salary arrears, the directive was not implemented.
He appealed to Governor Otti to urgently intervene and ensure that his outstanding salaries are paid.
Meanwhile, the CEO of the Abia Health Management Board, Odochi Azubuike, has denied withholding Onyemachi’s salary.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Blossom Uma, also said she had made efforts to ensure that Onyemachi received his salary, promising to do everything within her powers to facilitate payment.
The state Accountant-General, Njum Onyemenam, could not be immediately reached for comment.
