Abia: Retiring civil servants plead for quick payment of benefits

Some civil servants in Abia State who’re due for retirement have appealed that the payment of their benefits shouldn’t be delayed after they ultimately exit the service.

The civil servants spoke on Thursday in response to a directive issued by the Abia State Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere, directing these due for retirement to instantly proceed on three months pre-retirement depart.

Ojeikere had in an inside memo dated October 12, 2026, directed all everlasting secretaries, heads of non-ministrial departments and all heads of parastatals to direct all employees due for retirement to instantly proceed on the pre-retirement depart.

The directive affected all employees who’re 60 years of age, those that have spent 35 years in service and those that could also be under 60 years however have spent eight years within the service as administrators.

However, some civil servants who spoke in Umuahia on Thursday, faulted the top of service for accusing them of evading retirement.

One of the employees who merely recognized himself as Kalu, mentioned the federal government ought to make sure that his gratuities are paid inside six months after retirement, to allow him proceed life after leaving workplace.

Kalu, who recommended Governor Alex Otti for steady payment of pensions to already retired employees, mentioned the Abia State authorities ought to activate a seamless mechanism for speedy payment of retirement benefits to retiring employees.

“We aren’t afraid of retirement because the Head of Service was quoted to have claimed. I’m solely afraid in regards to the payment of my retirement benefits.

“I still have some of my children in secondary school, and I will be glad if I get my gratuity immediately after retirement so I can take care of them and also open a business to sustain my family,” Kalu mentioned.