Pensioners in Abia State have urged Governor Alex Otti to fulfil his campaign promises on the payment of outstanding pension and gratuity arrears, warning that they would not forfeit their entitlements from the state government.
The pensioners, under the aegis of the Abia Pensioners Forum, made the demand on Monday while addressing journalists in Umuahia over what they described as the continued hardship faced by retired workers in the state.
Led by their Coordinator, Okey Kanu, the pensioners accused the state government of failing to fulfil its promises to clear outstanding pension and gratuity obligations owed to them.
They alleged that Governor Otti had promised during his election campaigns in 2015, 2019 and 2023 to address the welfare concerns of pensioners and liquidate inherited pension and gratuity arrears.
The pensioners said they were particularly concerned over the governor’s response to a recent question from a pensioner regarding his earlier promise that gratuities would be paid on or before the end of July 2026.
According to them, the failure to meet the expectation had left many pensioners uncertain about when their outstanding entitlements would be paid.
“We therefore urge government to, as a matter of urgency, start immediate payment of these retirement benefits, even if she wants to start with gratuity,” the group said.
The pensioners also disputed claims that the pension arrears inherited by the present administration had been fully cleared.
They said many retired workers had died without receiving their outstanding benefits, while those still alive were struggling to meet basic needs, including food, medical expenses and other subsistence requirements.
“As at today, many pensioners have died without receiving these benefits. Those still alive need this payment to feed, buy drugs and attend to other subsistence needs and health challenges,” they said.
The group added that some pensioners needed their outstanding payments to commence or complete personal projects, including retirement homes.
The pensioners also questioned the payment of entitlements to former local government chairmen and councillors who, according to them, served for only two years under previous administrations.
They described the situation as unfair to pensioners who spent up to 35 years in service or retired upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
“Ironically, since last year, former Local Government Chairmen and Councillors who served only two years under previous administrations have been paid their entitlements by the present administration. What an injustice that pensioners who retired after 35 years of service or on attaining 60 years of age are treated with levity, disdain and ignominy,” the group said.
The pensioners appealed to Governor Otti to fulfil what they described as his campaign commitments to pensioners and other residents of the state.
They also acknowledged the administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects, but stressed that pensioners needed to receive their outstanding retirement benefits to enable them to benefit from the improvements being recorded in the state.
“It is he who is alive that can appreciate and enjoy the good infrastructures the Governor is putting in place,” they said.
The pensioners further appealed to the state government to ensure that the issue of outstanding pension and gratuity arrears was not exploited by individuals or political interests for partisan purposes.
They urged the administration to begin immediate payment of the outstanding benefits, stressing that many pensioners were ageing and facing serious financial and health challenges.