Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Permanent Secretaries who were retired from Abia State civil service on October 31, 2023, have again, passionately appealed to Governor Alex Otti, to prevail on the relevant Government officials delaying the payment of their retirement benefits.
Commending the Governor for giving approval for their payment, the retired Permanent Secretaries, however, expressed worry that six months after the approval, they were yet to receive their payment.
They, again, sought the Governor’s intervention to fast-track their payment, noting that the hash economic situation in the country is taking a toll on them.
The body of retired Permanent Secretaries in a statement signed by Mr Nkwachukwu Agomoh on behalf of the body, said they decided to draw the Governor’s attention to their plight following speculations in some quarters that they had been paid.
They appealed to the Governor to verify the information, and prevail on the relevant officials “to do the needful.”
“We thank the Governor for keeping his promise, and being regular and prompt in the payment of pension alongside salary of civil servants,” the statement read.
Continuing, it read: “We thank the Governor for his kind approval for the payment of our retirement entitlements since January this year; and wish to remind him that the approval is yet to be translated to cash due to bureaucratic bottle necks.
“We, therefore, passionately appeal to His Excellency, to please ensure that his promise prior to our retirement is implemented without further delay.
“The immediate payment of the retirement entitlements which include gratuity, severance allowance and furniture allowance (where applicable), will further portray Gov. Otti as a promise- keeping Governor.”
