Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has revealed that his administration has paid over N20 billion as arrears of gratuity to retired workers in the state since 2020.
Gov. Diri revealed this during the inauguration of the secretariat building of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The complex, built by the state government was inaugurated by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Gov. Diri stated that the edifice symbolizes the harmonious relationship between labour and his administration, stressing that more would be achieved when there is industrial harmony.
He said workers welfare had always been a top priority of his administration.
“When we came on board, the issue of outstanding gratuities and pensions were on the front burner. We immediately made it as a matter of policy, to ensure that our senior citizens were respected by paying their arrears over the years.
“At this fifth anniversary of our administration, we have paid over N20 billion as gratuity and pension to retired citizens, and we will continue to ensure that they receive them. Before we leave office, we would have cleared the backlog,” he promised.
Gov. Diri appreciated labour in the state for always resorting to dialogue, instead of industrial action, whenever there was any disagreement, and promised to always work with them to improve their welfare.
He explained that his Rivers counterpart was chosen to inaugurate the project due to his commitment to the welfare of workers in his state, and as a career civil servant who attained the peak of his career.
Speaking on the issue of more homogenous states for the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the Bayelsa governor urged the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to work towards the creation of Toru-Ebe and Oil River states.
He noted that the balkanisation of the Ijaws into different states has given them a minority status in those states, stressing that only Bayelsa was created out of the three states demanded by the Ijaws.
He equally stated that it was an anomaly for Bayelsa State, to have only eight local government areas, saying it was an injustice that should be corrected by the federal government.
Gov. Diri asserted that the creation of local government areas, should have been the responsibility of states based on their ability and capacity to fund the number they create, and not the current situation where local governments were created by the federal government and funded with the resources from the states.
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Governor Siminalayi Fubara commended the Diri administration’s worker-friendly posture.
He advised labour to work harmoniously with the government, adding that they would be the most affected if there was industrial crisis.
Gov. Fubara said his administration would continue to work with his Bayelsa counterpart in the interest and development of both states.
“For 16 years, there was friction between Rivers and Bayelsa States, but under my administration, we will work with you bearing in mind that you are a sister state and whatever the issues were, we have settled out of court,” he said.
In their joint address, Presidents of the NLC and TUC, represented by former Bayelsa State NLC Chairman, Comrade Ebipre Ndiomu and Austin Jonah, respectively, said the edifice was a testament of the collaborative effort between labour and government.
They assured that the cordial labour relations will be exploted to advance the cause of labour.
The labour leaders also appreciated Gov. Diri for his worker-friendly policies, and urged workers to reciprocate the gesture through increased productivity.
