SA to Gov. on IGR assures retireees of prompt pension payments, outlines clearance processes

The Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi, has explained the state government’s strategic approach to clearing accumulated pension and gratuity arrears, assuring retirees that their payments are being actively prioritized.

Dr. Okpechi made this disclosure while speaking on The Big Issues, a flagship program on Vision Africa Radio 104.1 FM in Umuahia, where he addressed the administration’s commitment to resolving legacy financial obligations.

Highlighting Governor Alex Otti’s resolve to tackle the massive pension liability, Dr. Okpechi noted that the administration chose to address the issue head-on rather than dismissing it as a legacy problem.

“His Excellency has taken the bull by the horns to go as far back as possible,” Dr. Okpechi stated. “If you ever worked for the government and retired without getting your gratuity, the government is positioned to pay. No matter how huge the accumulation is, an obligation is an obligation.”

He explained that the government has successfully cleared the arrears for retirees from 2001 to 2010, with many already receiving substantial alerts in their bank accounts.

For those within this period who are yet to be paid, he attributed the delay to the meticulous process of verifying and reconciling disjointed or contradictory historical service records to ensure absolute accuracy.

For retirees who left service after 2010, Dr. Okpechi assured that the government is currently cleaning up records and mobilizing resources. He explained that the administration is carefully balancing its budget to ensure that while pension arrears are being cleared, current salary payments and other critical government services are not disrupted.

“Government has to define priority and allocate resources to carry all legitimate interests along,” he noted, urging retirees to be patient as the reconciliation process continues.

Dr. Okpechi also linked pension sustainability to revenue generation, urging citizens to fulfill their tax obligations promptly.

“The revenue we collect is to serve you, pay salaries, and provide infrastructure,” Dr. Okpechi stated. “Please don’t shy away from paying your dues so that the government can continue serving you.”