To buoy up the transport system in Bayelsa State, additional vehicles, including CNG buses are soon to be procured by the state government, says the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
While addressing workers on Friday to mark this year’s Workers’ Day in Yeangoa, the governor said the vehicles which would be managed by the state transport company, would improve mobility across the state.
He also said the ongoing investments in power infrastructure, particularly the state’s independent power project, would sustain the operation of such vehicles.
The workers had barely started rejoicing over the announcements by the governor, when Diri dropped another unexpected news: the approval of 108 completed one-bedroom housing units to be allocated to civil servants, an announcement that elicited applause from the workers.
The governor directed the Housing and Property Development Authority and the Head of Service to work out the modalities for the allocation of the apartments at the state’s housing estate at Okaka.
He also announced the approval of some of the requests presented by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), including the payment of promotion arrears and immediate implementation of yearly promotion steps for the state workers in accordance with the civil service rules.
Responding to another request, Diri stated that his administration had already amended the law establishing the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, as it was now a wholly state-owned institution, saying he assented to the amended law more than a year ago on March 10, 2025.
On the issue of workers in the state fire service that were reportedly not captured in the new minimum wage due to their different salary structure, he directed the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Local Government to immediately work out the details and implement his approval as it covered other workers.
In October 2024, the governor approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants in the state. While acknowledging the autonomy of local governments, Diri urged council chairmen to pay outstanding Christmas bonuses to local government workers.
He appreciated labour for the sacrifice, dedication and partnership with his Assured Prosperity administration. According to him, together with the civil servants, the government had recorded several milestones that were the fruits of the partnership.
His words: “To our civil servants who keep the government running, to our teachers who mould the minds of this generation and indeed the next generation, to our health workers who safeguard our lives, to our security agencies who keep watch over us even when we are asleep and ensure that there is peace and security in Bayelsa State and to every artisan, farmer and professional in the private sector, your dedication and selfless service are the bedrock of our progress, and we remain profoundly grateful.
“The strides we have made together bear eloquent testimony to the strength of unity and the power of common purpose and synergy between the Government of Assured Prosperity and the workers in Bayelsa State.
”You have not failed the Government of Prosperity. Together we have recorded milestones that speak for themselves. These are not merely government projects. They are the fruits of partnership between labour and our government.”
Speaking earlier, the NLC and TUC, in a joint address read by the NLC chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of workers.
The workers also expressed appreciation for the progress of work at the ongoing nine-storey civil servants secretariat project, saying when completed, it would provide a conducive work environment.
The unions equally lauded the administration for the several infrastructure projects that were changing the developmental narrative about Bayelsa.
