The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Otti, has announced plans to implement a Pension Contributory Scheme for its civil servants.

Mr. Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, made this revelation during a press briefing following the State Executive Meeting held at the Government House, Umuahia, on Tuesday.

According to Kanu, the state government has made significant progress in preparing for the transition to the new pension scheme. He stated, “The state government has concluded plans to introduce a contributory pension scheme for Abia civil servants.

The plans for establishing the scheme have gone very far and very soon we would start the cutover to a contributory pension scheme.” This move underscores the government’s commitment to streamlining the pension payment process and providing pensioners with a sense of inclusion.

Kanu further disclosed that the government has issued a directive mandating the payment of pensions on the 28th of each month, aligning with the payment schedule for the state’s civil servants.

Additionally, a significant policy change has been implemented, ensuring that pensioners will now receive their full monthly pension amount, rectifying the previous practice of disbursing only half.

Acknowledging that some pensioners were inadvertently omitted from recent pension arrears payments, Kanu assured that the Ministry of Finance has established a help desk to address such discrepancies.

This initiative aims to resolve issues related to pension arrears payments, including oversight of certain individuals.

The ultimate goal of these measures, as emphasized by Kanu, is to ensure a smooth and successful process for managing pension payments in Abia State.

It’s noteworthy that this announcement comes after the Abia State Government passed a law in March ceasing pension payments to its former governors and deputy governors.

Governor Otti, who has consistently opposed pensions for former officials, views this decision as advantageous, as it allows for the reallocation of funds to clear longstanding pension arrears of Abia’s retirees, unresolved since 2014.

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