INTERROGATING STAGGERED PAYMENT IN ABIA STATE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ALBATROSS TO ECONOMIC PENDULUM, 1999-2019

Abstract

The economic landscape in Abia State, Nigeria, has been heavily shaped by the financial and administrative practices employed by successive state governments. One of the most significant and widely debated economic issues is the staggered payment of civil servants' salaries. This practice, which began in the early 2000s, became a central feature of governance in Abia State, with its impact reverberating across various socio-economic sectors. Staggered payment, where salaries of civil servants are paid at irregular intervals, has been a major concern for both the government and the governed. The period between 1999 and 2019 saw this practice becoming an enduring problem, hindering economic development, creating dissatisfaction among the workforce, and undermining productivity. This paper critically interrogates the economic and social consequences of staggered payment in the Abia State Civil Service, analyzing how it became an albatross to the state’s economic pendulum. Through a comprehensive review of historical, political, and economic data, this research explores the root causes, effects, and potential solutions to this ongoing challenge in Abia State.