Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his administration is taking steps to address what he described as years of injustice suffered by senior citizens in the state under previous administrations.

The governor made the remarks on Thursday during a live broadcast to commemorate Abia State’s 35th anniversary.

Otti expressed regret that retired civil servants and other senior citizens had been denied benefits due to them and subjected to hardship as a result of unpaid gratuities spanning more than two decades.

He said his administration had commenced the payment of accumulated gratuity arrears, beginning from 2001, while also putting measures in place to ensure that civil servants receive their gratuities promptly after retirement.

According to the governor, any civil servant leaving the service will henceforth be paid their gratuity as soon as the necessary documentation has been completed.

“While we have carefully kept our eyes on the future, efforts have also been made to address the injustice of the past. Nothing demonstrates this better than the recent commencement of the payment of accumulated gratuity arrears, starting from 2001.

“Beyond the decision to clear debts accumulated from more than two decades ago, I have also directed that going forward, anyone leaving the service should be paid their gratuity as soon as the necessary documentation is completed.

“The old practice of denying retirees what is due them will no longer obtain,” Governor Otti said.