Bayelsa State government said it has employed more health workers as part of its efforts to address the “jappa” syndrome because of the high premium it has placed on the healthcare.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai made the disclosure at the transparency briefing for August and September.
Koku-Obiyai said that the state government gave the approval for the employment of health workers because health workers according to her were leaving the country in droves.
She said the state government has continued to carry out the transparency briefings because the programme offers the opportunity to tell Bayelsans about the income and expenditure profile of the state.
Koku-Obiyai said Governor Douye Diri has assured that his administration would complete all the projects it initiated before leaving office.
“We believe that transparency is a way of building trust. As a government, we believe that accountability is key and it is very important.
“We believe that transparency is essential in building trust and we feel that citizens should be informed about how resources are spent.
“Our administration is committed to holding the principles of transparency and accountability. In all our doings, His Excellency, Douye Diri, is committed to completing all the ongoing projects,” the commissioner said.
She said some of the projects include the Igbogene/AIT Ring Road, Glory Drive, Yenagoa/Oporoma Road, Ekeremor/Agge Road , Polako/ Sabagreia Road among others.
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Koku-Obiyai stated that the government is also providing employment across the state “even in the hospitals. We have clear employment because of Jappa Syndrome. When they leave, we replace.
“Our administration is working tirelessly to create enabling environment that will attract investors and stimulate economic growth.
“We believe that a stable and reliable power supply is essential in the development of a state and we are committed to exploring all avenues to achieve our goal.
“Our turbines are here with us and we are installing them and as we have power supply, we will also have meter in all our houses and you will pay according to the energy that you have used.”
According to her, the goal of the government is to boost industrialisation and job creation for the teaming youths.
“We believe that all these efforts will boast the local economy and Bayelsans from all walks of life should celebrate our dear leader.
“Every one must rally round the governor so that he will end up strong and Bayelsa will be on the globe,” she added.
She said that the state was not owing any contractor as they are paid on what they have delivered and that no new projects would be initiated until the ongoing ones are completed.
On why the salaries of political appointees witnessed a sharp increase, the Technical Adviser to the governor on Treasury and Accounts, Timipre Seipulo said that no political appointee is on salary adding that appointments are done based on demands.
Seipulu maintained that Bayelsa political appointees are paid monthly based on the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission Policy.
He said:” When people are appointed, they are paid salaries based on RMFAC policy so we are still where we are in terms of salary, but it is the number of politicians that probably increased because some boards were inaugurated recently
Seipulo disclosed that the state has a closing balance of N106.58 billion and internally generated revenue also increased to N4.67 billion all in September this year.
