By Stanley Idoko
Dr Bamachy Onyemachi, Director of Medical Services at the Abia Health Management Board (HMB), has appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to intervene over his alleged unpaid salaries spanning more than 20 months.
Onyemachi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Umuahia that the prolonged non-payment had caused him severe financial difficulties, including threats of eviction and the loss of a property acquired through a bank loan.
He alleged that the salary dispute followed a disagreement with the Chief Executive Officer of the board, Dr Odochi Azubuike, over the management of equipment at the Federal Multipurpose Hospital, Ugwunagbo, in July 2024.
According to Onyemachi, his salary and those of 20 other workers were subsequently stopped following allegations including poor attendance, refusal of posting and failure to retire after serving eight years as directors.
He said the Abia State Head of Service later cleared him to continue serving as a director and that Azubuike subsequently acknowledged his reinstatement and requested payment of his outstanding salaries.
Onyemachi added that in May 2026, approval was conveyed for his reinstatement on the payroll and payment of 16 months’ salary arrears, but the directive had yet to be implemented.
He alleged that the other affected workers had since been reinstated and paid, leaving him as the only person still awaiting payment.
Responding to the allegations, Azubuike denied withholding Onyemachi’s salary and referred enquiries to the Ministry of Health.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Blossom Uma, said efforts had been made to resolve the matter and pledged to continue facilitating the payment.
Onyemachi appealed to Otti to urgently intervene and ensure the outstanding salaries are paid.