The Abia Pensioners’ Forum has raised concerns over alleged delays and short payments in the ongoing disbursement of gratuities to retirees who left service between 2001 and 2010.

The Forum also urged the Abia State Government to publish the names of beneficiaries who have received payments and the amounts paid to them, as contained in their authorisation letters.

In a statement dated September 21, 2026, signed by its Coordinator, Okey Kanu, and Secretary, Emma Onyenyiri, the Forum acknowledged Governor Alex Otti’s decision to commence payment of the outstanding gratuities.

However, it alleged that more than half of beneficiaries in the 2001–2010 batch had yet to receive payment about one month after the exercise began. It further claimed that some pensioners who had been paid received less than their stated entitlements, with some allegedly recording shortfalls of more than N100,000.

The Forum also alleged that the desk office reportedly established by the government to handle complaints from pensioners in the batch was not functioning effectively. According to the group, some elderly pensioners were instead being referred between the Office of the Head of Service and the Office of the Accountant-General.

It questioned comments attributed to the Commissioner for Information that the gratuity payments would be made gradually and in tranches, asking why the entire 2001–2010 batch could not be paid if funds had reportedly been earmarked for the exercise.

The pensioners also objected to the government’s broader plan to clear outstanding gratuity liabilities by 2031, arguing that prolonged staggered payments could further delay retirees from receiving their full benefits. The state government had previously said the total verified gratuity liability stood at N61.8 billion, with payments to be made in batches under a 2026–2031 framework.

The Forum recalled Governor Otti’s 2018 open letter to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in which he expressed concern over the plight of pensioners who had died while waiting for unpaid benefits.

It also argued that increased federal allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy had improved the state’s financial position and cited Anambra’s reported payment of N32 billion in retirement benefits in 2007 as an example of what it said could be achieved.

The pensioners appealed to Governor Otti to accelerate the payment process, ensure that beneficiaries receive their full entitlements and make the exercise more transparent.