Abia Pensioners Knock Otti Over Unpaid Arrears, Accuse Govt of Prioritising Politicians
Emeka
Abia Pensioners Knock Otti Over Unpaid Arrears, Accuse Govt of Prioritising Politicians
The Abia Pensioners Forum has criticised the state government over what it described as the continued neglect of pensioners, alleging that former local government chairmen and councillors have had their entitlements paid while retirees remain owed pension arrears and gratuities.
The pensioners expressed their concerns while addressing journalists in Umuahia on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the senior citizens, the forum’s coordinator, Okey Kanu, said pensioners who served the state for 35 years or retired upon attaining the age of 60 were still waiting for pension arrears and gratuities inherited from previous administrations.
Kanu reminded Governor Alex Otti of his promises to pensioners during the 2023 election campaign, saying some retirees had fallen ill or died without receiving the benefits owed to them.
“Those still alive need this payment to feed, buy drugs and attend to other subsistent needs and health challenges,” he said.
Kanu, a lawyer, expressed particular concern over the alleged payment of entitlements to former local government chairmen and councillors who served for only two years under previous administrations.
“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,” he said.
The pensioners’ representative regretted that despite the commitments he said Governor Otti made to Abia pensioners in 2023, the administration had yet to settle pension arrears and gratuities inherited from the previous government.
Kanu also disputed reports that the pension arrears inherited by the Otti administration had been completely cleared.
The Abia Pensioners Forum maintained that its members would continue to demand the payment of their outstanding entitlements and would not forfeit any benefits owed to them by the state government.
