Retired primary school teachers in Imo State have called on the Imo State House of Assembly to urgently investigate the prolonged non-payment of their gratuities and pensions, describing the situation as a worsening crisis that has lasted for years.
The appeal was contained in a Save Our Soul message directed to the House, with particular emphasis on the Committee on Labour, Civil Service, Pension and Productivity, seeking immediate legislative intervention over what they described as persistent neglect of their entitlements.
The retirees said the unpaid gratuities and pensions affect batches of former primary school teachers who retired between 2010 and 2020, adding that repeated verification exercises and documentation processes have failed to translate into actual payment.
According to them, many of the affected retirees across the 27 local government areas of the state have continued to face hardship despite years of service in the education sector, with several of them now elderly and unable to meet basic needs.
They urged the House of Assembly to open a full investigation into the matter and ensure accountability in the handling of pension and gratuity payments, while also calling for intervention from the member representing Isu State Constituency, Kingsley Ozurumba, to help push for settlement of outstanding arrears.
“We have suffered a lot… thousands of retired primary school teachers in Imo are still awaiting gratuities years after retirement.”
The retirees further described the situation as a humanitarian concern, warning that many of their colleagues are struggling with illness and poverty due to unpaid entitlements accumulated over the years.
They also stressed that teachers who served in public primary schools contributed significantly to the development of the state’s education system and deserve timely payment of their retirement benefits.
“They taught Imo children.”
“Now they beg for their gratuities.”
” Imo House of Assembly is urged to act before more retired teachers suffer and die in silence.”
Residents and education stakeholders have also echoed concerns over the delay, insisting that gratuity payments remain a legal obligation that must be honoured to protect the welfare of retired civil servants.
While the retirees await government intervention, no official response has been issued by the Imo State House of Assembly regarding the latest appeal.