By Tapre Timine, Bayelsa
Local government workers and retirees in Bayelsa State have heaved a sigh of relief following the clearance of N12 billion pension, gratuity and death benefit arrears owed across the councils.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that the disclosure came during a ceremony on Thursday in Yenagoa celebrating the success of local government reforms introduced by the state government.
The event, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House with the theme “Promoting Local Government Workers’ Welfare: The Bayelsa Model.’
It also saw Governor Douye Diri honoured as Best Governor on Local Government Reforms in Nigeria by the national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN).
Speaking after receiving the award, Governor Diri said the reforms had restored credibility to the councils, enabling them to settle debts that had long piled up while also embarking on projects previously beyond their reach.
He assured workers and pensioners that his administration would not relent in prioritising their welfare.
He said: “When we started the reforms at the local government level, the challenges were overwhelming. Local governments were owing backlog of debts, pensions and gratuities.
“Our reforms transformed the local government councils. Our local government Chairmen started performing. They were able to clear the backlog of debts, pensions and gratuities, embarking on infrastructural projects and several other things they were unable to do.”
He attributed part of the success to the supervisory efforts of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, whom he commended for guiding the implementation of the reforms.
The event drew a large audience including the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Ogbere; House Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Obolo Bubou; Chief of Staff, Dr. Peter Akpe; senior aides to the governor and deputy governor; commissioners; council chairmen; and the national executives of NULGE.
