Bayelsa approves new allowances, promotion arrears for workers

Bayelsa State government has unveiled a comprehensive package of fresh approvals covering new allowances, promotion arrears, and other welfare packages for workers in the state’s mainstream civil service, local government, and education sectors, running into billions of naira.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, said this at an enlarged meeting with labour leaders and top government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and the Head of Service, Dr. Ebiye Sawyer in Yenagoa.

Giving a breakdown, Dr. Akpe said Governor Douye Diri had approved the elongation of service years for health workers from 35 to 40 years and retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

He also announced the approval of the 2026 medical residency training fund, revised earned allowances, and the implementation of 2025 promotions and arrears for staff of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH).

Other approvals include uniform allowance for primary health workers and nurses, promotion and step increment arrears, specialist allowance for doctors on CONMESS 5, and the implementation of gratuities and pensions for staff on the CONHESS salary structure at the Environmental Sanitation Agency before their retirement.

Dr. Akpe reiterated the government’s irrevocable commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, noting that the Diri administration had done much through its labour-friendly policies and called on labour unions to support the government to sustain the cordial relationship.

“Labour and government are one and the same. Without the bureaucracy, political governance will be in shambles. His Excellency has given unprecedented approval to virtually all the 40-point demand made by labour. It had never been witnessed in the history of this state,” he said.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, stated that over 95 percent of labour’s demands were approved.

She noted that the approval of uniform allowance was a first since the state’s creation.

Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity Chief Saturday Odoko, remarked that the gesture, would go down in history as a remarkable one for workers.

In their responses, state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Simon Barnabas, represented by the Secretary, Dr. John Angese, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Edwin Fefegha, expressed gratitude to the governor, acknowledging the huge financial burden but assuring that workers would continue to support the administration.

Other labour leaders, including those from NUT, NULGE, and NMA, also praised the government.