The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called on the government of Abia State, led by Alex Chioma Otti, to provide transparency on the proposed welfare benefits for residents aged 60 and above and to address outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to retirees urgently.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the group acknowledged the importance of social protection programmes designed to support elderly citizens, describing such initiatives as consistent with the government’s responsibility to protect vulnerable populations. However, FENRAD expressed concern over the introduction of new welfare commitments while long-standing pension and gratuity liabilities to retired public servants remain unresolved.
The organisation stressed that retirement benefits are legally earned entitlements and not acts of charity. It warned that continued delays in settling arrears have subjected retirees to financial hardship and undermined their socio-economic rights.
FENRAD urged the state government to publish a detailed and verifiable breakdown of all outstanding pension and gratuity arrears, including liabilities inherited from previous administrations and those accrued under the current government.
The group also called for a clear and time-bound payment plan to offset the arrears, while cautioning against coercive agreements, waiver arrangements or opaque verification processes that could undermine retirees’ lawful entitlements. It further requested transparency into monthly pension payment schedules to enable retirees to reliably track their payments.
On the proposed Over-60 welfare initiative, the organisation demanded the release of the full policy framework and enabling legislation guiding the scheme. It also called for disclosure of the funding source, fiscal sustainability plan, projected annual cost, and budgetary allocation for the programme.
FENRAD additionally requested clarity on the data capture process, eligibility verification criteria, and healthcare infrastructure intended to support any medical benefits under the initiative.
The group emphasised that public trust in governance is strengthened when policies are backed by clear implementation plans, financial transparency, and measurable accountability benchmarks. It noted that campaign promises to restore fiscal discipline, clear arrears, and prioritise workers’ welfare remain critical to democratic accountability.
FENRAD urged the government to settle existing obligations to retirees before expanding new welfare commitments, insisting that retirees deserve dignity while senior citizens require clarity on policy initiatives.
The organisation also expressed readiness to engage constructively with the government, the Abia State House of Assembly, civil society groups, and retirees’ associations to ensure that public policies remain humane, sustainable, and rights-based.
