A socio political organisation, Bayelsa Development Forum, has commended Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for maintaining its obligation to workers in the State, since the inception of the administration.

Meanwhile, an elder statesman and Chairman, Governing Council of the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology, Chief Thompson Okorotie, has commended the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and other affiliate unions in the State for their sense of maturity, understanding and patriotism in their dealings with the administration of Dickson in the State.

The President of BDF, Agidigbo Koriakede and Secretary-General, Ebisintei Ebiowoubo, made the observation after an emergency meeting of the forum in Yenagoa, where they also commended the governor for his friendly disposition, “which has ensured a harmonious relationship between the administration and organised labour movement in the state.”

Describing the governor as a labour friendly leader, BDF expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the Dickson’s administration to the prompt payment of salaries and allowances of workers, when so many states in the country have failed to pay salaries for months, because the economic meltdown.

The BDF also expressed satisfaction with the cordial working relationship and unity of purpose among the various arms of government, which, it said, has largely been responsible for the massive infrastructural development in the state.

While enjoining Governor Dickson to remain focused, they also called on labour in the State to always support the administration in the implementation of its development agenda for the State.

Okorotie, who is also a second republic legislator in the old Rivers State House of Assembly, addressed the inaugural meeting of the Governing Council and the management of Bayelsa State College of Health Technology at Otuogidi in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

He also expressed gratitude to Dickson, for the current efforts at settling the backlog of pensions and gratuities inherited from the previous administration as well as six months of 18% salary arrears owed civil servants.

According to him, the action of the governor “has ranked him as one of the most labour friendly leaders in the country,” stressing that, he has always accorded priority to the welfare of workers, realising that they are the engine room as well as an integral part of the success of any Government.

Okorotie urged workers in the State not to allow themselves to be used by mischief makers and self seeking politicians, who do not mean well for them and the people of the State.

He used the opportunity to call on both labour and the government to maintain the existing level of understanding between them for the overall benefit of the people of the state.

•Photo shows Dickson

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