Peace returned to Bayelsa State on Thursday as Governor Henry Seriake Dickson ordered the immediate payment of 50 percent of the salaries of workers in the state.

Following the announcement, workers across all the ministries, departments and agencies went jubilant, expressing hope that the trend would continue. Many of the workers are now happy and have resolved to assist the government to move the state forward.

The Governor, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, gave the directive after a meeting with the State Finance Committee at the Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the directive was in fulfillment of the agreement between government and organised Labour represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Dickson said payment of the 50 percent salaries would commence with the Ministries and Departments which have turned in the reports of their verification exercises. He also urged others, especially those in the education sector who were yet to turn in their verification reports to do same as soon as possible.

Governor Dickson commended workers in the state for their patience and understanding, adding that, the government will always strive hard to ensure that it meets its obligation to the workers and called for the cooperation of all Bayelsans.

The Governor also used the occasion to renew his call on the entire people of the state, especially the youths not to allow themselves “to be used by disgruntled politicians, who are bent on capitalising on the situation, which is not peculiar to the state, to cause a breakdown of law and order, just for their selfish and unpatriotic reasons,” the statement reads.

•Photo shows Governor Dickson.

Update news