…Governor Dickson directs payment of December salaries
From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has confirmed the receipt of N12.447 billion as its share of the last tranche of the London-Paris Club refund.
This was even as Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has directed the Finance and treasury teams to commence the payment of December salaries to Civil servants in the state.
Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, who said Governor Dickson gave the directive for the payment of salaries, during the 85th session of the State Executive Committee, disclosed that N1.143 billion of the London-Paris club refund would go to the eight local government areas in the state as their own share.
During the meeting, Governor Dickson was said to have appreciated the workforce for their contributions and sacrifice to the state and hinted at holding an interactive session with the various labour unions in the state.
He advised Bayelsans not to celebrate the Christmas in a manner that would dishonor Jesus Christ, noting that Bayelsa still remains one of the safest states in the country and promised that the government was committed to tackling the recent upsurge in crime rate in the state, especially in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Joshua Ongore, in an interview, also said all was now set for Governor Dickson to present, on Friday, details of the 2018 budget.
According to him the draft of the budget was presented before members of council who unanimously adopted it after all final consideration was undertaken.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson thanked Bayelsans for their understanding and support to the government and assured them of better days ahead, especially in the coming New Year.