The Abia State Government has commenced the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to verified state and local government retirees, with the total liability put at N61.8 billion.
The state government said the exercise was part of its efforts to clear inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of pensioners who had waited for years to receive their entitlements.
The payment covers verified retirees from both the state and local government levels. The government said the verification process was necessary to ensure that payments were made to genuine beneficiaries and to prevent irregularities in the exercise.
The development is expected to provide financial relief to retirees who have faced difficulties due to the prolonged delay in receiving their gratuities. The government said it remained committed to addressing outstanding obligations to pensioners and improving the welfare of senior citizens.
The Abia Government urged verified retirees to cooperate with the relevant authorities throughout the payment process. It also assured pensioners that efforts would continue towards settling the outstanding liabilities and ensuring a more efficient pension administration in the state.
