Public Complaints Commission Handles 720 Cases In Abia, 40 Percent Resolved

The Abia State Office of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has disclosed that it received a total of 720 complaints between January and October 2025.

The Federal Commissioner representing Abia State, Prince Madukwe Ukaegbu, revealed this while speaking as a guest on the Abia Broadcasting Corporation’s news and current affairs program “Issues of the Moment” on Monday.

Prince Ukaegbu stated that 40 percent of the complaints have been successfully treated to the satisfaction of both complainants and respondents. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to impartiality, stressing that the PCC remains open to all citizens and residents seeking redress without discrimination.

He encouraged Abians to take advantage of the Commission’s services, reminding them that all services are provided free of charge.

Speaking further, Ukaegbu noted that the Commission would soon mark its 50th anniversary of existence in Nigeria. He commended Governor Alex Otti for his efforts in repositioning the state and expressed appreciation for the cooperation and confidence shown by residents.

On challenges, the Commissioner cited inadequate funding as a major constraint but called on Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

“We should encourage the President and understand his policies. The generation to come will thank him for the sacrifices made today. Let’s be committed to ensuring his reform agenda succeeds,” Ukaegbu said.

He explained that, beyond handling complaints involving ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), the PCC also conducts arbitration in civil disputes across Nigeria, providing a peaceful channel for conflict resolution.

In a related development, the Head of the Abia State Ombudsman, Justice Kyrian Nwankpa (retd.), highlighted the achievements of the newly established Abia Ombudsman Office, which has treated 39 petitions and complaints since its creation in 2025.

Justice Nwankpa described the Commission as a “beacon for grassroots justice,” providing relief for citizens who lack access to legal aid. He said the cases handled so far involve rights violations, administrative delays, disputes between civil servants, and private disagreements.

He explained that while not all cases have been concluded, recommendations have been forwarded to relevant agencies for appropriate action.

According to him, the Ombudsman operates under the Abia State Ombudsman/Public Complaints Commission and Citizens’ Rights Commission Law 2025, serving as an independent platform for citizens to lodge complaints against public institutions and officials.

Justice Nwankpa compared the Ombudsman’s role to that of the United Nations in promoting fairness for vulnerable groups and likened its processes to a small claims court due to their accessibility and speed.

He clarified that the Ombudsman does not handle criminal or conventional court cases, but plays a crucial role in strengthening trust between government and citizens. He urged residents to submit written petitions to the Umuahia office, assuring that no case would be ignored.

He added that though the commission is yet to be officially inaugurated, it has remained effective and will be further strengthened with the appointment of four additional commissioners.

“This commission was designed to resolve disputes and rebuild citizens’ confidence in government institutions,” he said.