Retirees in Enugu State are facing severe hardships as the administration of Governor Peter Mbah continues to owe over N26.8 billion in pension arrears and gratuities. Despite the repeated pleas and protests by the retirees, the state government has failed to address the growing crisis, leaving many of them in a state of financial and emotional distress.
The retirees, who have dedicated their lives to public service, are now left to suffer in their retirement years, without access to the hard-earned benefits they are entitled to. This staggering debt, which includes pensions and gratuities owed to both state and local government retirees, has become a major source of concern among the aging populace, many of whom are struggling to meet their basic needs.
The continued non-payment of these entitlements has led to a significant decline in the quality of life for these retirees. Some have been unable to access adequate healthcare, while others are forced to rely on relatives or public assistance to survive. The failure of Governor Mbah's administration to prioritize the welfare of retirees has sparked outrage, with calls for immediate intervention from both the retirees themselves and concerned citizens.
The debt, which has accumulated over several years, stems from the government's failure to keep up with statutory pension payments as stipulated by law. According to reports, over N10 billion of the outstanding debt relates to pensions and gratuities owed to retirees of Enugu State's civil service, while an additional N16.8 billion is owed to retirees from local government agencies.
Retirees have expressed frustration with the government's inability to fulfill its financial obligations, and many have resorted to holding peaceful protests and demonstrations, urging the state government to take action. Despite their efforts, the administration’s response has been lukewarm, with no clear plan of action to address the outstanding arrears.
“The pain of being denied what is rightfully ours after years of faithful service is unimaginable,” said one of the retirees, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Governor Mbah must act now to resolve this crisis. We are not asking for charity, but for what is owed to us.”