Açtivist, Others Want Gov Diri To Pay Workers Backlog Of Promotion Arrears One Time

 By Azi Aaron

Owing to the unbearable hardship and cost living prevailing in Bayelsa state arising from the effects of fuel subsidy removal , a renowned activist Arc. Ere Efeke among others have stressed the need Governor Douye Diri to Pay backlog of promotion arrears  to civil servants at one time in order to ameliorate their plights.

Sen Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State

They kicked against the current ongoing  payment of promotion arrears to workers on monthly bases where some  few ministries staff benefited at the expense of others.

Arc. Efeke, a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Architects and member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria), and one time Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, made his feelings known in a Radio Programme, in Yenagoa.

The renowned Architect, asserted emphatically that civil servants promotion arrears and gratuities should be paid as at when due, just like the severance allowances to politicians, who received it immediately or before they leave office.

It would be recalled that promotion arrears during payment used to begin with civil servants working in Government House, Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the Judiciary before other ministries, but this time around Bayelsa House of Assembly workers are placed last, as the ongoing payment of 2015-2017  promotion arrears began with staff of Government House, Judiciary and Treasury.

Some civil servants who spoke to Global Overseer reporter on condition of anonymity also stressed the need to pay workers promotion arrears one time, adding that promotion interviews and salary annual increments also, should be implemented timely to avoid arrears.

They lamented that the current hardship, cost of living, inflation of prices of commodities, food items among others, despite the regular salaries they receive, is not enough to feed their families and the training of their children in tertiary institutions in the country, noting that education is the bed rock for development.

They added that the state government cushioning plans for the civil servants from the effects of fuel subsidy removal should also be hasten.

They commended  Governor Douye Diri for discharging his constitutional responsibilities to the best interest of the people, particularly his prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities as well as according security, infrastructures, human capacity development, health, education among others, a pride of place in his administration.

On the November 11 governorship election, they expressed their unflinching support for Senator Diri's second term ambition to  continue his good works for the people.