3RD ANNIVERSARY GIFT: More Retirees To Benefit, As Gov. Diri Raises Gratuity To N1bn . . . Avail Yourselves of The Free Medical Services, Diri Enjoins Bayelsans
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by Our Correspondent
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has given civil service retirees in the state his administration’s third anniversary package with an increase of the monthly gratuity release to N1 billion.
He stated this on Friday, February 10th, while flagging off the government’s 2023 medical outreach for the eight councils in the state at Igeibiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
He directed the state’s Pensions Board and the Head of Service to work out the modalities and ensure a seamless payment of retirees in the state.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as having expressed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and wellbeing of Bayelsans, which he noted was one of the primary responsibilities of government.
His words: “We had a windfall in the month of January this year. So I have directed that gratuity payment for retirees be increased from N200 million to N1 billion.
“The pensions board is expected to reach me for the modalities for payment. The Head of Service is to ensure a seamless payment to our retirees.”
While stressing the importance of healthy living, Diri urged people of the state to avail themselves of the free medical services being provided annually by his administration, saying it would be replicated across the eight local government areas of the state.
Responding to requests by the Igeibiri community, the governor directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Moses Teibowei, to construct a health centre for the community as well as construct access roads to link the Yenagoa-Oporoma central senatorial road.
The state’s Chief Executive equally promised that his administration would prioritize the connection of communities from Yenagoa to Oporoma to the national grid to enhance socio-economic activities in the area.
“For us as a government, all we require from you is your support. We prioritize our expenditures and one of such is the provision of road infrastructure to open up our communities and end the sufferings of long travels and insecurity.
“That is why we prioritized the construction and completion of the Yenagoa to Angiama portion of the central senatorial district road, which is ready for inauguration.
“Also, last year, we brought the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, to flag off construction of the Angiama bridge to link Oporoma and we are not owing a dime for the project.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, said during last year’s medical outreach, the team visited 16 communities but has increased the number to 72 this year.
According to him, they recorded 4,050 medical cases last year, which included 61 medical surgeries, distribution of 847 free medical eye glasses and COVID-19 vaccination of 1,770 persons.
Also speaking, representative of World Health Organization in the state, Dr Alfred Ineifi, applauded the Senator Diri administration for placing premium on the health needs of the people, adding that the health indices of the state had significantly improved.
The newly elected chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr Diepreye George, expressed appreciation to the governor for his choice of Igeibiri community to kick-start the medical outreach this year as well as his developmental strides in the state.
It be noted that the sum of N200 million is usually released monthly for the payment of gratuities.
