From Henrietta Ashikodi, Umuahia
A forum of permanent secretaries compulsorily retired from the Abia State Civil Service has pleaded with the Abia State Government to immediately pay them their gratuities saying the current economic hardship is seriously affecting them.
It will be recalled that a similar appeal was made on October 31, 2023, but the appeal was not yielded to.
The demand was made known in a press release signed by the forum’s spokesman and former Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomoh.
The retirees, however, applauded the Governor for his developmental strides in the state, especially in infrastructure, roads, health, and other critical areas across the state. They urged him to extend the same commitment to the welfare of retired workers whose livelihoods now depend on pensions and gratuities.
“We are expressing concern over the prolonged delay in the payment of our retirement benefits despite repeated assurances from the government,” the Forum said.
They noted that although the administration has recorded visible achievements in road construction and other infrastructure projects, many retired senior civil servants are struggling to survive amid the rising cost of living.
The Forum noted that the remaining months before the commencement of election campaigns present an opportunity for the governor to bring relief to retired civil servants by fulfilling his promise to pay their gratuities.
The group recalled that the Governor had assured workers during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration that gratuity payments would commence, but decried that no payments had been made, leaving many of them in financial distress.
“We are urging the governor to immediately direct the State Accountant-General to begin the release and payment of accumulated gratuities,” they said.
“We want to remind Governor Alex Otti of his promise to us before our abrupt retirement to pay all our retirement entitlements. We appeal to him to commence the payment of gratuities with our group,” the statement added.
The Forum said the appeal had become necessary because of the harsh economic realities confronting them, including the rising cost of food, school fees, electricity, cooking gas, and healthcare.
“Many of our members now depend entirely on their pensions and are finding it increasingly difficult to meet basic family needs and medical expenses,” the retirees noted.
The Forum maintained that it is optimistic the Governor will listen to their plight, adding that payment of the outstanding gratuities will restore dignity and hope in government.
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