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From: Femi Folaranmi,Yenagoa Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, confirmed the receipt of N10 billion from the Federal Government as the state’s share of the second tranche of the Paris Club refund. To this end, the governor has directed the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, to ensure a quick release of the money to clear outstanding salaries of civil servants. Dickson, who hinted labour leaders of the receipt of the money at a meeting, in Government House, said N919 million from the money was meant for the eight local government councils in the state. He seized the opportunity to warn that the money for the councils should be properly utilised and not be shared by a few to further enrich themselves at the expense of the various workers in their respective councils. He commended labour leaders for their support and understanding, noting that his administration would not derail from its policy of transparency. “I have directed that the money should be transferred to them latest today (Thursday). As for this money, let me make it clear that is not for them to share. It is not free money, so those who will be celebrating that money has come to be shared will be disappointed. “One of the greatest problem we have in this state is the fact that people always think that any money that come is free money for them to share. They don’t want the state to be developed, leaders after leaders, year after year. Twenty years after the creation of the state it is now we are building good schools, health institutions. You people should know me by now. I have been here for almost six years and any money that comes we always announce it. Month after month, we disclose our income and expenditure in the Transparency Briefing. And I think we are the only state doing that”, Dickson said. Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite who briefed journalists after the interactive session between the governor and the labour leaders said it was agreed that part of the money should be used to clear backlog of salaries. “I am happy to announce that after a peaceful, fruitful and candid meeting, it was resolved that the government will use part of the fund to pay one and a half month salary. Initially we had thought that it was N14 billion that will come in so we can pay two months but that was what came in. Pensioners are also going to be paid”, he said. The Chairman, Bayelsa State council of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), John Ndiomu and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Tari Dounana commended the government for disclosing the share of the state in the latest fund and for inviting them to interact on how to utilise the money. They assured all workers that every outstanding salary owed by the government will be paid to them and urged them to continue to give their best. |