Agorehmi Bright, Reporting
THE Bayelsa State Government has unveiled a comprehensive welfare package for civil servants, local government staff, and education sector workers, with approvals running into billions of naira.
Deputy Governor Dr Peter Akpe announced the measures following an enlarged meeting with labour leaders at Government House, Yenagoa. The approvals, granted by Governor Douye Diri, include a landmark extension of service years and retirement age for health workers – from 35 to 40 years of service and from 60 to 65 years of age.
Other approved measures include the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund, revised earned allowances, and implementation of 2025 promotions and arrears for Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital staff. A uniform allowance for primary health workers and nurses has been granted for the first time since Bayelsa’s creation, alongside specialist allowances for doctors on CONMESS 5 and gratuity payments for retired Environmental Sanitation staff.
Commissioner for Information Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai confirmed that over 95 per cent of labour’s 40-point demands had been approved, describing it as a “win-win” outcome.
“His Excellency has given unprecedented approval to virtually all demands. It has never been witnessed in the history of this state,” said Dr Akpe, who stressed that government and labour are strategic partners in strengthening the bureaucracy.
Labour leaders, including representatives from the NLC and TUC, expressed gratitude while acknowledging the significant financial burden on government. State NLC Secretary Dr John Angese noted that “no government had done this before” in Bayelsa’s history.
Commissioner for Labour Chief Saturday Odoko declared that 13 July 2026 “would go down in history as a remarkable day” for workers in the state.
