Retired Permanent Secretaries Urge Governor Otti to Pay Outstanding Gratuities

The Forum of Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired from the Abia State Civil Service in October 2023 has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to authorize the disbursement of their accumulated gratuities and retirement benefits.

In a communiqué issued following its July 2026 meeting in Umuahia and signed by Mr. Agomoh Nkwachukwu, the forum expressed growing concern over delayed payments despite prior commitments from the state leadership. While acknowledging the administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects, the group urged the government to show similar commitment to the welfare of senior citizens relying on fixed retirement benefits.

The retirees recalled that Governor Otti had previously indicated during his May 2025 Workers’ Day address that gratuity disbursements would begin. They called on the administration to direct the Office of the Accountant General to initiate payments, highlighting that ongoing economic pressure has made it difficult for members to cover basic living expenses, healthcare, and household utilities.