Abia State pensioners, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have called on the state government to revisit the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) regarding the payment of pension arrears and gratuities. In a statement signed by the union’s Chairman, Elder Chukwuemeka Irondi, and Secretary, Elder Uma Kalu, the pensioners emphasized that no discussions were held about waiving their entitlements, including gratuities.
The union acknowledged that Governor Alex Otti has cleared pension arrears from June 2023 to March 2024, but they pointed out that the 45 months of unpaid pension arrears owed by the previous administration remain unsettled. The pensioners criticized the unilateral nature of the MoA, suggesting it was influenced by ill-advised recommendations from top aides, including former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Michael Akpara, and Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi.
The NUP insisted on a serious review of the MoA, particularly Article 7(a) and (b), and clarified that the present administration has not addressed the 45 months of unpaid pension arrears inherited from the previous government. The union also dismissed claims by the governor that the administration had cleared a decade of pension arrears, calling the assertion baseless and unsupported by the union.
The pensioners expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of their dues and called for a more transparent and inclusive approach in settling the arrears and gratuities.
