Abia: Retiring civil servants plead for quick payment of benefits

Some civil servants in Abia State who are due for retirement have appealed that the payment of their benefits should not be delayed when they eventually exit the service.

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

Ojeikere had in an internal memo dated October 12, 2026, directed all permanent secretaries, heads of non-ministrial departments and all heads of parastatals to direct all workers due for retirement to immediately proceed on the pre-retirement leave.

The directive affected all workers who are 60 years of age, those who have spent 35 years in service and those who may be below 60 years but have spent eight years in the service as directors.

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

One of the workers who simply identified himself as Kalu, said the government should ensure that his gratuities are paid within six months after retirement, to enable him continue life after leaving office.

Kalu, who commended Governor Alex Otti for continuous payment of pensions to already retired workers, said the Abia State government should activate a seamless mechanism for immediate payment of retirement benefits to retiring workers.

“We are not afraid of retirement as the Head of Service was quoted to have claimed. I am only afraid about 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 said.