The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has called on the state government to address the significant backlog of pension and gratuity payments owed to retirees, which is estimated to exceed N70 billion. This demand comes amid growing concerns from pensioners who have reported receiving as little as N4,000 monthly, a figure that starkly contrasts with the N32,000 minimum pension threshold previously established by the state government.

In a statement released by Uche Aguoru, the APC's Publicity Secretary in Abia, the party highlighted the urgent need for the government to prioritize the settlement of these outstanding debts. The statement emphasized that many retirees, who dedicated their lives to public service, are now facing financial hardships due to the delayed payments of their entitlements.

The APC also pointed out that workers in various state agencies are earning between N23,000 and N40,000 monthly, which is below the federally mandated N70,000 minimum wage. This situation has exacerbated the financial strain on households, particularly in light of rising costs for essential goods and services such as food, housing, and transportation.

The party urged the Abia government to formalize an agreement with organized labor to ensure that wage implementation aligns with current economic realities. They argued that the state has seen a notable increase in monthly revenue, suggesting that there are sufficient resources available to address both the pension liabilities and wage shortfalls without compromising infrastructure development.

In their statement, the APC stressed that "public resources must be made to serve the public," calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes the welfare of civil servants and pensioners alongside capital spending. They also demanded greater transparency in the management of public funds, insisting that available resources should be directed towards clearing outstanding gratuity and pension payments promptly.

As the situation continues to unfold, the APC's demands reflect the growing discontent among retirees and workers in Abia State, who are calling for immediate action to ensure their financial security and uphold their rights to earned benefits.