Pensioner’s group appeals for 13 months pensions arrears in Abia

The Joint Action Committee, JAC, comprising retirees from Abia Newspapers, Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, BCA, Council for Arts and Culture, Abia Housing and Property Development Corporation, have appealed to the State Government to pay their 13 months’ pension arrears.

This was contained in their statement signed by their Chairman, Chinkwe Ikenyi, and Ikoro John Ikoro, Secretary.

The retirees, who thanked Governor Alex Otti for commencing the regular payment of their pensions in January 2025, lamented that the 13 months’ pension arrears, which they said were accumulated under the present administration, have not been cleared.

“We humbly appeal to Your Excellency to settle more than 13 months’ pension arrears owed parastatal pensioners by your administration when you began to pay our pensions in January 2025.

“Most of the pensioners have lost their accommodations as they could not pay rent for more than a year and the school fees of their wards.”

The retired workers also said that those with serious medical challenges have not been able to maintain themselves in view of the rising cost of medication, compounded by the terrible state of Nigeria’s economy.

Apart from this, the members of the Joint Action Committee said that a total of 55 retirees drawn from the parastatals, including the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, have not received their pensions since January 2025, despite completing their verification processes.

The retirees further appealed to the Governor to look into the issues of their gratuities as he has already promised.

They concluded the appeal by reassuring Governor Alex Otti of their support for his administration in the development of Abia.

Pensioner’s group appeals for 13 months pensions arrears in Abia