Diri Approves Workers’ Promotion, Minimum Wage For Pensioners

Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri has approved the immediate implementation of 2021 and 2022 promotion for local government workers, payment of 2015 to 2017 promotion arrears and the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for pensioners.

Diri gave the directive yesterday when he responded to the demands of workers during this year’s Workers Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

The governor also directed the head of service to ascertain why his directive on call-duty and hazard allowances had not been effected and ensure its immediate implementation.

He said workers remain the backbone of society for their invaluable contributions to socio-economic development, adding that the celebration was a reminder that alongside government, they collectively fight against poverty, poor healthcare, insecurity and underdevelopment.

Diri said, “I hereby direct as follows, that the 2021/22 promotions should be implemented with immediate effect. The deputy governor is hereby directed to liaise with all councils and take necessary steps for the immediate implementation.

“Following our approach on the 2015/2017 promotion arrears, payment to tertiary institutions which I believe is ongoing. Again I hereby direct the head of service, the commissioner of finance to work out immediate modality for enhanced payment of the 2015/2017 arrears.

“Implementation of N30,000 minimum wage for pensioners. You are all aware of our commitment to the welfare of pensioners in Bayelsa State. I will set up a committee to be chaired by the secretary to the state government to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency and the SSG is expected to see me immediately after now.

“We believe the medical and health workers who are entitled to call duty on hazard allowances as per our directive, may have been receiving them. If that have not been done, again I hereby direct the head of service to go into this immediately and ascertain why that directive have not been carried out and immediately again implement it.”