BAYELSA GOVERNMENT CLEARS 12 BILLION NAIRA LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRATUITIES, PENSION ARREARS

Governor Douye Diri has cleared the 12-billion-naira arrears of pensions, gratuities and death benefits owed retired workers in the various Local Government Councils in Bayelsa State.

Speaking during a programme to celebrate the success of Local Government reforms in the state with the theme: “Promoting Local Government Workers’ Welfare: The Bayelsa Model” at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri reiterated his administration’s resolve to prioritizing the welfare of workers and retirees across the state.

Giving a brief history of the local government reforms, Governor Diri said when it was introduced the challenges were overwhelming and the local governments owed backlog of debts, pensions and gratuities, but the reforms transformed the councils and the Chairmen were able to clear the backlog and were embarking on infrastructural projects and several other things they were unable to do.

He attributed the success of the reforms to the supervisory efforts of Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor.

In his opening remarks, Chief Thompsom Amule, Commissioner for Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, said before the Governor Douye Diri’s administration came on board, only four LGA’s were to pay salaries, while the other four were insolvent and the reforms were introduced to solve these anomalies.

Also, Mr. Noel Itade, Chairman Local Government Chapter, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, commended the governor payment of backlog of pensions and gratuities and pledged their continued support.

Also, Comrade Aliyu Kankara, President -General Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE and Comrade Kabiru Ado Sani Minijibir, National President Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, both commended government Douye Diri for the reforms and urged other governors to emulate him.

They also presented an award to the governor, as the “Best Governor on Local Government Area Reforms in Nigeria”.

Receiving the award, Governor Diri appreciated the union leaders for the gesture, and promised to continue to prioritize the welfare of local government workers and pensioners in line with the new reforms.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of cheques to retirees who exited the local government system in August 2025.

Dignitaries at the event were Hon Michael Ogbere, Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chairmen of the eight local government councils of the state, top government officials as well as national Leadership of NULGE and Local Government.

Reported by Isaac Eyedoude