By Sunday Ameh
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for commencing payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired workers in the state and local government councils.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, on Monday, FENRAD described the development as a welcome step towards addressing the longstanding financial burden faced by Abia retirees.
The organisation said the state government had identified about ₦61.8 billion in outstanding gratuity liabilities covering retirees from 2001 to 2025.
FENRAD, however, stressed that gratuity was a legitimate entitlement earned through years of public service and not a political favour.
It urged the state government to publish a clear payment schedule, maintain an updated database of verified beneficiaries and ensure direct payments to retirees without intermediaries.
The group also called for periodic disclosure of the amount released, amount paid, number of beneficiaries settled and the outstanding balance.
FENRAD urged the government to prioritise retirees who had waited the longest, particularly vulnerable and elderly beneficiaries, while establishing an effective complaints mechanism to address omissions and payment challenges.
The organisation further warned against political interference, favouritism and unofficial charges in the payment process.
It said the success of the programme should ultimately be measured not by government announcements but by the actual receipt of funds by verified retirees.
FENRAD commended Otti for addressing the accumulated gratuity burden but urged his administration to sustain the process until all legitimate beneficiaries are paid.
“Every verified beneficiary should receive what is due. Every naira released should be traceable,” the organisation said.
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