By Steve Oko

Retired Permanent Secretaries of Abia State, who were disengaged from service in 2023, have urgently appealed to Governor Alex Otti to pay their severance packages and other entitlements, including gratuities.

During a press conference in Umuahia, the retired officials expressed their dire circumstances, stating that the nonpayment of their severance packages has placed significant economic pressure on them.

Mr. Nkwachukwu Agumuo, the spokesperson for the group, argued that the state government should have settled their severance payments promptly, given that their disengagement from service was abrupt. He emphasized the need for the government to provide these funds to help them rebuild their lives and support their families.

While acknowledging Governor Otti’s developmental initiatives in the state, the retirees pleaded for his assistance in resolving their financial plight. They noted that they had made several attempts to draw the attention of the state government to their situation, including visits to the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, and the Commissioner for Justice.

Agumuo, reading from a prepared statement, described the miserable conditions faced by the affected Permanent Secretaries. “It has become urgent and pressing to highlight our plight since October 2023, when our service in the state civil service was abruptly cut short. Since then, we have yet to receive our entitlements, including severance allowances, furniture allowances, and gratuities.”

He revealed that 30 Permanent Secretaries are impacted by this policy and lamented that their numerous efforts to be heard have gone unanswered. “The silence from those responsible for addressing our issue leaves much to be desired and has left us in dire straits, both financially and emotionally.”

Agumuo emphasized that the retirees had dedicated decades of service to the state for the public good. He stated, “Our sudden and unceremonious retirement has stripped us of our livelihoods, imposed a stigma on our careers, and left us grappling with uncertainties regarding our future.”

He highlighted the suffering endured by their families due to the delayed payments. “Many depend on the income provided by our positions for their basic necessities, such as healthcare, food, housing, and education. With only meager monthly pensions, our dependents are forced to make difficult choices.”

The group urged Governor Otti to address the situation, expressing their awareness of the governor’s numerous accomplishments. They humbly requested that he direct the Accountant General to expedite the payment of their severance and furniture allowances, as they have been informed that express approval for these payments has already been granted.