We Will Continue to Meet Our Salary Obligations

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State says, the Government will continue to give priority to the welfare and well-being of its workforce, despite the decline in federal allocation.

In an exclusive interview with newsmen in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson disclosed that, the federal allocation to the state has dropped by about 40%, stating, however, that, the salaries, allowances and other entitlements of civil servants will always be given priority attention.

He explained that, the current monthly salary obligation for civil servants stands at about N4 billion, stressing that, his administration will ensure that, all legitimate entitlements due civil servants, including the 18 percent salary arrears are paid to all affected staff.

“There are so many State governments that have not been able to meet the salary obligations of their civil servants. This is a lesson for us in Bayelsa. I want Bayelsans, particularly people in the public service that, they are the main stakeholders in government.

“Politicians come and go, they may leave their marks for good or bad, but the main stakeholders are the Civil Servants, so when people have to make decisions like it has happened in some of those states, civil servants understand and they are making sacrifices by showing understanding.

“In Bayelsa, we are not yet there. And, it is our expectation that, we will not get to that point in Bayelsa, because we place priority on the welfare and well being of our civil servants. Unfortunately, because we said they should pay their fair share of tax liabilities as prescribed by law, which all other workers subscribe to, sometimes the good things we are doing for our public service are not appreciated, or we are misunderstood, but some of those things come with the job.”

Governor Dickson identified housing, transportation and the health insurance policy, which will kick off soon, as some of the areas the state government needs to prioritize.

According to the Governor, most people do not realize the massive Infrastructural development taking place outside Yenagoa, such as the road to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the sand filling of the Sagbama/Ekeremor road and the Ogbia/Nembe road, which is now accessible by Hilux and motorcycle.
He also explained that, modern hospitals were being built in all the 8 local government areas of the State, with some of them at advanced levels of completion.
While, restating Government’s resolve to continue with all ongoing projects, Governor Dickson pointed out that, some of the big projects will be put on hold, pending improved federal allocation to the State.