The Bayelsa State Government on Tuesday announced a new welfare package for workers, including fresh allowances, promotion arrears and other benefits for employees in the mainstream civil service, local government and education sectors. The package is expected to cost the state billions of naira.
The government also reiterated its commitment to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening the state bureaucracy to enhance service delivery.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, made the announcement during an enlarged meeting with labour leaders, union representatives and senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and the Head of Service, Dr Ebiye Sawyer, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Akpe explained that Governor Douye Diri had approved the extension of the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years, while the years of service had also been increased from 35 to 40 years.
He added that the governor had 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 deputy governor further announced the approval of a uniform allowance for primary healthcare workers and nurses, promotion and step increment arrears, a specialist allowance for doctors on CONMESS 5, and the payment of gratuities and pensions for retired staff on the CONHESS salary structure in the Environmental Sanitation Department, among other benefits.
Akpe described the government and organised labour as key partners in building a stronger bureaucracy for efficient service delivery. He noted that the Diri administration had consistently introduced policies and programmes aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
He therefore urged labour unions and their affiliates to continue supporting government policies to sustain the cordial relationship between the administration and its workforce.
He said, “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, said the government had carefully reviewed the demands presented by organised labour and approved the majority of them.
According to her, more than 95 per cent of the demands presented by organised labour were approved by the governor despite prevailing economic challenges.
She said, “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chief Saturday Odoko, described the approvals as another demonstration of the Diri administration’s worker-friendly disposition.
Odoko said July 13, 2026, would remain a landmark date in the history of workers in Bayelsa, noting that the approvals represented a win-win outcome for both the government and organised labour.
In separate remarks, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Simon Barnabas, represented by the union’s Secretary, Dr John Angese, and the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Edwin Fefegha, expressed appreciation to Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Peter Akpe and the state government for approving nearly all of labour’s requests.
Other labour leaders, including the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Embeleakpo Andabai; the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, NDUTH, Dr Otorufa Nathaniel; the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Richman Otobo; the State Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Anthony Akpe; the State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Comrade ThankGod Singer; and the Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Stephen Umuwe, also praised the government for the approvals.
They pledged the continued support of workers for the Diri administration.