The Bayelsa state government has approved a new package of welfare measures for workers across the state’s mainstream civil service, local government and education sectors, including fresh allowances, promotion arrears and other benefits valued at billions of naira.
The government said the approvals underscore its commitment to workers’ welfare and efforts to strengthen the state’s public service for improved service delivery.
Deputy governor Dr. Peter Akpe announced the approvals during an enlarged meeting with labour leaders, government officials and union representatives at Government House, Yenagoa.
According to Akpe, governor Douye Diri approved the extension of the retirement age and years of service for health workers from 60 to 65 years and from 35 to 40 years respectively. The governor also approved the 2026 medical residency training fund, revised earned allowances, and the implementation of 2025 promotion arrears for staff of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH).
Other approvals include uniform allowances for primary healthcare workers and nurses, payment of promotion and step increment arrears, specialist allowances for doctors on the CONMESS 5 salary structure, and the implementation of gratuities and pensions for eligible staff on the CONHESS salary structure in the Environmental Sanitation sector.
Akpe described government and organised labour as strategic partners in strengthening the state’s bureaucracy, noting that the administration had consistently implemented labour-friendly policies. He urged labour unions to continue supporting government programmes to sustain industrial harmony and improve service delivery.
He also stated that the administration had approved nearly all the demands presented by organised labour, describing the decision as unprecedented in the state’s history.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, said more than 95 per cent of labour’s demands had been approved by the governor.
She said the approvals covered issues including promotion arrears, uniform allowances, benefits for resident doctors and teachers, adding that the measures reflected the administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare despite prevailing economic challenges.
Koku-Obiyai urged workers to reciprocate the government’s gesture by remaining committed to their duties and contributing to the state’s development.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Saturday Odoko, described the approvals as a milestone in the state’s labour relations, saying the outcome represented a win-win for both government and workers.
Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the Association of Resident Doctors expressed appreciation to the state government for approving most of their demands.
The labour leaders acknowledged the financial implications of the approvals and pledged continued cooperation with the Bayelsa State Government to maintain industrial peace and enhance public service delivery.