The Abia State Government has taken steps to fully implement its recently enacted Senior Citizens Law, introducing a policy framework designed to provide structured welfare and support services for elderly residents.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed that a draft policy manual has been developed to guide the execution of the law, following deliberations at the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
According to the government, the Senior Citizens Law, signed in 2025, is aimed at ensuring the security, dignity, and overall well-being of citizens aged 60 and above, including their mental and psychological health.
Kanu explained that the policy document was necessary to address widespread misconceptions about the law, particularly claims that it was designed as a direct cash payment scheme for the elderly.
“This law is not about cash-outs,” he clarified, noting that it is instead a structured social protection framework focused on delivering welfare services.
Under the proposed implementation plan, beneficiaries are expected to access a range of support initiatives, including healthcare services, housing support for vulnerable senior citizens, social insurance, and nutritional assistance.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, also revealed that a nine-member committee has been constituted to finalise the policy document, which is expected to be ready for public release by April.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by the Otti administration to establish a more coordinated and institutionalised approach to elderly care in the state. Analysts say the move aligns with global best practices that treat ageing as a key social policy issue requiring government intervention.
While the policy has been widely welcomed as a progressive step, its success will depend largely on effective implementation, funding, and transparency, especially in a country where social welfare systems remain weak or inconsistent.
For many elderly residents in Abia, the rollout of the law represents a potential turning point one that could redefine how government engages with one of its most vulnerable populations.
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