The Forum of Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired from the Abia State Civil Service on October 31, 2023, has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to approve the payment of their outstanding gratuities and retirement entitlements.

In a communiqué issued on Monday in Umuahia, the state capital, after its July 2026 meeting and signed by Mr Agomoh Nkwachukwu, the forum expressed concern over the handling of its matter by the current administration, despite acknowledging the government’s achievements in infrastructure development.

The group noted that while the administration had recorded “giant strides” in the state’s economy, the same commitment should be extended to retired civil servants whose survival depends solely on pensions and gratuities.

“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, the governor, during his Workers’ Day address on May 1, 2025, indicated that payment of gratuities would commence.

Abia arrests 114 sanitation defaulters

“We want to remind Governor Alex Otti of his promise to us before our abrupt retirement of paying all our retirement entitlements, and urge his administration to kick off payment of gratuities with us.

“We are therefore urging him to direct the Accountant General to begin immediate payment,” the body said.

The forum cited the current economic hardship, saying its members were struggling to meet basic needs, including feeding, school fees, electricity bills, cooking gas and medical expenses.

The retirees called on the governor to use the remaining weeks before election campaigns begin to address the issue and provide relief to them and other affected retirees. (The PUNCH)