Governor Douye Diri, has announced fresh welfare packages for workers, including approval of 108 completed one-bedroom housing units for civil servants as well as the payment of promotion arrears.
The announcement was made on Friday during the 2026 May Day celebration held at Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Diri disclosed that the housing units, located at the state housing estate in Okaka, would be allocated to civil servants.
He directed the Housing and Property Development Authority and the Office of the Head of Service to immediately develop modalities for the allocation process.
In further response to workers’ demands presented by labour unions, the governor approved the settlement of promotion arrears and ordered the immediate enforcement of annual promotion increments for civil servants in line with existing public service regulations.
He also addressed issues raised regarding institutional reforms, noting that the law establishing the University of Africa, Toru-Orua had already been amended to reflect its status as a fully state-owned institution.
He explained that he had signed the amended legislation into law on March 10, 2025.
On concerns about fire service personnel allegedly excluded from the new minimum wage structure due to salary classification differences, the governor instructed the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Local Government to urgently resolve the issue and ensure inclusion.
It would be recalled that in October 2024, the state government approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants.
Diri also announced plans to boost the state’s transport system through the acquisition of additional vehicles for the Bayelsa Transport Company, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.
He linked the initiative to ongoing investments in independent power generation aimed at sustaining modern transport operations.
While acknowledging the constitutional autonomy of local governments, the governor appealed to council chairmen to ensure payment of outstanding Christmas bonuses owed to local government workers.
He expressed appreciation to organised labour for their cooperation with his administration, describing civil servants and other workers as key partners in governance.
“We remain profoundly grateful to our civil servants who keep the government running, to our teachers who mould the minds of this generation and indeed the next generation.
”To our health workers who safeguard our lives, to our security agencies who keep watch over us even when we are asleep and ensure that there is peace and security in Bayelsa State.
”And every artisan, farmer and professional in the private sector, your dedication and selfless service are the bedrock of our progress.
“The strides we have made together bear eloquent testimony to the strength of unity and the power of common purpose and synergy between the Government of Assured Prosperity and the workers in Bayelsa State.
“You have not failed the Government of Prosperity. Together we have recorded milestones that speak for themselves. These are not merely government projects.
”They are the fruits of partnership between labour and our government.”
Earlier in the event, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in a joint address delivered by the NLC chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon, commended the state government for prioritising workers’ welfare.
The unions also praised ongoing infrastructure development, particularly the nine-storey civil servants’ secretariat project, noting that it would improve the working environment upon completion.
They further expressed satisfaction with various development projects across the state and pledged continued support for the Diri administration.
