Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has ordered the immediate payment of 50 per cent of the salaries of workers in the state.
It would be recalled that workers in the state last month embarked on strike over five months of unpaid salaries but had to call off after three days following an agreement between representatives of the state government and leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, that government will pay 50 per cent of monthly salaries with effect from February 2016.
It was in fulfilment of this agreement that Dickson directed the state Finance Committee in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital after a meeting yesterday, to commencement the payment of half salaries.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said that payment would commence with the Ministries and Departments that have turned in the reports of their verification exercise.
It also urged others, especially those in the education sector yet to turn in their verification reports, to do so as soon as possible.
The statement quoted Mr. Dickson as commending 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.
