By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Forum of Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired from the Abia State Civil Service on October 31, 2023, has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to pay their outstanding gratuities and other retirement benefits.
The retirees made the appeal in a communiqué issued on Monday in Umuahia after their July 2026 meeting.
The statement, signed by Mr. Agomoh Nkwachukwu, expressed concern over what the group described as the government’s continued silence on their retirement entitlements.
The forum acknowledged the achievements of the Otti administration, particularly in infrastructure and economic development, but said similar attention should be given to retired civil servants who depend on their pensions and gratuities for survival.
“The continued silence of the government on the payment of accumulated gratuities to retirees after a series of promises is becoming most worrisome,” the forum stated.
According to the retired permanent secretaries, Governor Otti had indicated during his Workers’ Day address on May 1, 2025, that the payment of gratuities would begin.
“We want to remind Governor Alex Otti of his promise to us before our abrupt retirement to pay all our retirement entitlements, and urge his administration to kick off the payment of gratuities with us.”
“We are, therefore, urging him to direct the Accountant General to begin immediate payment,” the body said.
The retirees said the current economic situation had made life increasingly difficult for them, adding that many were struggling to meet basic needs such as food, school fees, electricity bills, cooking gas, and medical expenses.
They appealed to the governor to use the remaining weeks before the commencement of election campaigns to resolve the matter and provide relief for them and other retirees affected by the non-payment of their entitlements.