The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for commencing payment of outstanding gratuities to retired workers.
The organisation described the move as a welcome development for pensioners who have waited for years to receive their entitlements.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD said the identification of N61.8 billion in outstanding gratuity liabilities covering state and local government retirees from 2001 to 2025 demonstrated the magnitude of the challenge inherited by the government.
The group, however, called on the state government to ensure that the payment process was transparent, accountable and protected from political interference.
FENRAD urged the government to publish payment schedules and regularly disclose the amount released and disbursed, the number of beneficiaries paid and the balance outstanding.
It also called for priority to be given to retirees who have waited the longest and for an effective complaints mechanism to be established to address omissions, delays and payment failures.
The organisation stressed that “gratuity is a right, not a favour,” warning that retirees should not be required to rely on political connections or personal influence to access their legitimate entitlements.
FENRAD further urged the government to establish a sustainable system capable of preventing the accumulation of fresh gratuity arrears.
According to the group, the ultimate test of the initiative would not be government announcements but “the actual receipt of funds by retirees.”
It said every verified beneficiary should receive the amount legitimately owed, while every naira released for gratuity payments should be traceable.
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