Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced that his administration will commence the gradual payment of verified gratuity and pension arrears owed to retired workers since 2001.
According to the governor, the state has completed a verification audit to determine the authentic pensioners and amounts owed, paving the way for a structured settlement plan. Otti noted that despite the heavy financial burden inherited from previous administrations, his government is committed to restoring dignity to senior citizens who served the state.
He assured pensioners that the payment process would be transparent, phased, and sustained until all outstanding obligations are cleared.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by retirees and labour unions, who described it as a significant step toward correcting long-standing injustices in the state’s welfare system.