By Shedrack Frank
The Bayelsa Government has approved a fresh welfare for its workers, including new allowances, promotion arrears, pension benefits and an extension of the retirement age for health workers.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Peter Akpe, announced the approvals on Tuesday during a meeting with labour leaders, government officials and union representatives at his office in Yenagoa.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, the Head of Service, Dr Ebiye Sawyer, and other senior government functionaries.
Akpe said Gov. Douye Diri had approved the extension of the service years and retirement age for health workers from 35 to 40 years of service and from 60 to 65 years of age.
He also announced approval of the 2026 medical residency training fund, revised earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2025 promotion exercise and arrears for staff of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state also approved the payment of uniform allowances for primary healthcare workers and nurses, promotion and step increment arrears.
The approvals also include specialist allowances for doctors on CONMESS 5, and the implementation of gratuities and pensions for retired workers under the CONHESS salary structure at the Environmental Sanitation Department.
Akpe described government and organised labour as strategic partners in strengthening the state’s bureaucracy to ensure effective service delivery.
He said the Diri administration had consistently demonstrated its commitment to workers’ welfare through labour-friendly policies and programmes.
He urged labour unions and their affiliates to continue supporting government policies to sustain the cordial relationship between the administration and the workforce.
“Labour and government are one and the same because all of us are working together to deliver governance. Labour is the arm that deals with welfare of the bureaucracy,” he said.
According to him, the bureaucracy provides continuity in governance, making it essential for every administration to strengthen the civil service.
Akpe said the present administration had intentionally prioritised the welfare of workers and strengthening of the state’s public service.
He noted that the governor had approved virtually all the items contained in labour’s 40-point demand, describing the decision as unprecedented in the state’s history.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Bayelsa, Mr Simon Barnabas, represented by the union’s Secretary, Mr John Angese, and Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Edwin Fefegha, commended the governor for approving most of their demands.
The labour leaders acknowledged the financial implications of the approvals but said no previous administration in the state had implemented such an extensive package for workers.
They assured the government of the continued support and cooperation of workers in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chioma Ugboma