The Akwa Ibom State Government has paid more than ₦90 billion out of the ₦111 billion gratuity liabilities inherited from previous administrations, providing relief to thousands of retired public servants awaiting their entitlements.

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The state’s Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, disclosed the development while giving an update on the government’s efforts to settle outstanding financial obligations owed to retirees.

According to Peters, the current administration inherited gratuity liabilities estimated at ₦111 billion when it assumed office. More than ₦90 billion has since been paid to eligible beneficiaries.

The payments have reduced the outstanding liability to approximately ₦21 billion, according to the Head of Civil Service.

The development represents a significant reduction in the financial obligations accumulated over time to former public servants who completed their years of service but were yet to receive their gratuity payments.

 Akwa Ibom Reduces Retirees’ Gratuity Burden

Peters said the payment programme formed part of the administration’s efforts to address inherited liabilities while improving the welfare of workers and retirees in the state.

With more than ₦90 billion already paid from the inherited ₦111 billion obligation, the government has cleared over 80 per cent of the reported liability.

The remaining balance of about ₦21 billion is expected to be addressed as the payment programme continues.

Gratuity is a retirement benefit payable to eligible workers under applicable conditions of service. For retirees who have spent years waiting for their entitlements, delays in receiving such payments can create significant financial difficulties.

Retired public servants often depend on retirement benefits to meet household expenses, healthcare costs and other financial commitments after leaving active service.

The reduction in Akwa Ibom’s outstanding gratuity obligations is therefore expected to provide financial relief to beneficiaries who have received payments under the government’s ongoing programme.

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The Head of Civil Service also highlighted the administration’s broader focus on the welfare of public servants, both those still in active employment and those who have retired.

The government’s approach includes efforts to address outstanding obligations while improving conditions for serving workers, according to Peters.

The payment of inherited gratuity liabilities comes against the backdrop of continuing concerns over pension and retirement-benefit arrears across various parts of Nigeria.

Several state governments have faced accumulated obligations to pensioners and retired workers, making the timely payment of retirement benefits an important issue for affected beneficiaries.

For retirees in Akwa Ibom, the reported reduction from ₦111 billion to about ₦21 billion represents a substantial step toward clearing the inherited gratuity burden.

The government is expected to continue making payments to eligible beneficiaries until the outstanding liabilities are fully settled.

Peters’ disclosure provides an update on the administration’s progress in dealing with financial commitments inherited from the past and its stated efforts to ensure that retired workers receive benefits due to them.

While the remaining ₦21 billion liability means the payment process is not yet complete, the reported payments of more than ₦90 billion indicate that the bulk of the inherited gratuity obligation has already been addressed.

The continuation of the programme will determine how quickly the remaining obligations can be cleared and how many outstanding retirees can receive their entitlements.

For beneficiaries still awaiting payment, the focus will now remain on the government’s ability to sustain the programme and settle the remaining liability.