Abia State Government has clarified that the recently enacted Senior Citizens’ Law 4 of 2025 is not a cash disbursement scheme but a comprehensive social protection framework designed to guarantee care and support for elderly persons in the State.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made the clarification in Monday, while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said that Government is already preparing a procedural manual and policy document to guide the implementation of the Senior Citizen’s law in order to address widespread misconceptions about the legislation.
According to the Commissioner, the policy document will clearly outline the provisions of the legislation and the modalities for its implementation.
“Let me start by informing you all that a procedural manual and policy document is being produced by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to complement the implementation of the Senior Citizens’ Law No. 4 of 2025.
“This policy document will provide a detailed breakdown of the provisions of that law and the modalities for its implementation. This clarification has become necessary given the various but misleading interpretations of the Senior Citizens’ Law by members of the public”, he said.
The Commissioner noted that although the Government appreciates the level of public interest in its programmes, there is need to correct the notion that the law was designed primarily to provide direct cash payments to elderly citizens.
He emphasised that the law was conceived to ensure the welfare, security and dignity of elderly citizens through structured social protection measures.
“While we appreciate the interest that members of the public are showing in the activities of the Abia State Government, we believe that a few people are not in tune with what that law is all about.
“Abia State Senior Citizens’ Law was enacted to provide a pathway for the participation, security and independence, and comprehensive care, self-fulfilment and dignity for our senior citizens.
“This comprehensive care covers the health, mental and psychological needs of our senior citizens”, Prince Kanu said.
The Commissioner further stressed that the initiative should not be mistaken for a direct financial payout scheme adding that “this law is not about cash payments or cashouts to our elderly persons”.
He explained that even before the formal enactment of the law, the Otti led administration had already been implementing programmes targeted at improving the welfare of older persons in collaboration with various Ministries and the Office of the First Lady, Priscilla Otti.
Prince Kanu added that the Senior Citizen’s law simply provides a formal framework to coordinate initiatives already implemented by the present administration to support elderly persons
The Commissioner listed some of the key programmes under the policy to include the annual celebration of the International Day of Older Persons, Housing support for the indigent and displaced elderly persons, Health support for vulnerable, financial assistance and social insurance, as well as food and nutritional support.
“The activities include, amongst others, one, the celebration of Older Persons International Day. It is a yearly celebration of old people. And when that happens, they are celebrated and gift items and other items are provided to make them happy.
“Number two is the provision of housing support for the elderly that are indigent and displaced. Number three is health support for vulnerable older persons, especially those regarded as a result of a coal ban.
“Number four is financial assistance and social insurance for older people. Finally, food and nutritional assistance to address specific needs of elderly people”.
He reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that the law is implemented effectively to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable elderly citizens across the State.
Prince Kanu also disclosed that the State Government is developing a new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) policy to stimulate economic growth.
According to him, the initiative being championed by the Abia State Ministry of Industry and SMEs will align with the national MSME framework and also reflect the peculiar business environment of the State.
He said the policy, expected to be launched before the end of the second quarter of 2026, would serve as a strategic framework to enhance access to finance, training and market technology for businesses.
Prince Kanu noted that the policy aims to position Abia as a leading hub for enterprise development and targeti a 30 per cent contribution to the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030.
“The policy document from the State will be a main addition and will put AbIa in the forefront amongst other States in the country.
“The policy document will seek to act as a primary framework to foster an enabling business environment aimed at a 30% GDP contribution by 2030 for the State to enhance access to finance, training and market technology.
“The policy will focus on transforming the business sector, addressing rural-urban imbalances and stimulating job creation, particularly through the growth stroke home initiative”, he said.
The Commissioner further announced plans by the State Government to launch an Electronic Citizens’ Contact platform aimed at improving public participation in governance.
He said the planned e-Citizens Contact Centre would strengthen communication between residents and the government and allow the Government to track complaints and obtain feedback necessary for effective planning.
According to the Commissioner, the platform would also reduce the need for citizens to physically visit government offices to resolve routine issues, thereby improve efficiency in public service delivery.
Mrs Ngozi Felix
Contributing, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix, said that the document was currently in draft form, following the approval by the Governor of a nine-man committee drawn from relevant social protection implementing agencies in the State.
She explained that the committee, which was constituted last month, had been given two months to compile and review the document, adding that it was expected to be ready for the public to access by April.
