The Bayelsa State Government has approved a fresh welfare package for workers across the mainstream civil service, local government and education sectors, including new allowances, promotion arrears and other benefits expected to cost billions of naira.
The approvals were announced on Tuesday by the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, during an enlarged meeting with labour leaders and top government officials at Government House, Yenagoa.
Akpe said Governor Douye Diri had approved the extension of the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40 years.
He added that the governor also approved the 2026 medical residency training fund, revised earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2025 promotions and arrears for staff of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital.
The approvals also cover uniform allowance for primary healthcare workers and nurses, promotion and step increment arrears, specialist allowance for doctors on CONMESS 5, as well as gratuities and pensions for retired staff on the CONHESS salary structure at the Environmental Sanitation Department.
The deputy governor described government and organised labour as partners in strengthening the state bureaucracy and sustaining effective service delivery.
“Labour and government are one and the same, because whether we like it or not, all of us are put together to deliver governance. Labour is the arm that deals with the welfare of the bureaucracy, and you know that without the bureaucracy, political governance will be in shambles.”
He said the civil service remained the institutional backbone of government regardless of changes in political leadership.
“I hope you know the source of bureaucracy.
“The crafters needed to ensure that there is institutionalisation of the transmission from one political leadership to another.
“That means politicians come and go, but the civil servants, the bureaucracy, remains.”
Akpe said the Diri administration had consistently prioritised workers’ welfare.
“You will agree with me that this government under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, has always recognised and intentionally ensured that the bureaucracy is strengthened.”
He urged labour unions to acknowledge the government’s efforts and sustain the existing cordial relationship.
“I believe that all of you who have been in governance, and your leadership of unions, did not just start.
“You have your evolution over the years, and you should also know how it had been, how it was, and how it is now on issues of welfare.”
He added: “Labour should appreciate what this government is doing for workers in this state. His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, has given unprecedented approval to virtually all the 40-point demand made by labour on government.
“It has never been witnessed in the history of this state.”
Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, said the government approved more than 95 per cent of the demands presented by organised labour despite prevailing economic challenges.
“The ASSURED Prosperity Government has actually looked at all labour demands from the NLC, the TUC, the NMA and all the unions, and a lot of things were approved for them according to what they asked for.”
She added: “We have approved over 95 per cent, and that is a good development.
“The workers are jubilating and we are also happy because we enjoy industrial peace in Bayelsa. That is to say that the relationship we have is harmonious.”
Koku-Obiyai said the approvals reflected the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
“And to put on record, the Prosperity Government is all about making people happy, and you can see the smiles on their faces. Issues of promotion arrears and uniform allowance — this is the first time since the creation of Bayelsa State that a uniform allowance has been approved for them.
“A lot of things have been approved. The resident doctors got all their approvals; the teachers also got theirs.”
She urged workers to reciprocate by improving service delivery.
“The governor and government have done their part; the workers are expected to reciprocate by delivering the services they are supposed to render effectively and by being at their duty posts.
“We believe that the workers are the engine room, and they must keep the engine room running so that the state will continue to develop.”
Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Saturday Odoko, described the approvals as another demonstration of the Diri administration’s worker-friendly disposition, saying July 13, 2026, would remain a landmark date for workers in the state.
Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and other labour unions thanked the governor for approving almost all their demands and pledged continued support for the administration.
