The Ijaw Youth Council has commended the Bayelsa State Government for its currents efforts at settling the backlog salary arrears owed civil servants in the State.
The IYC in a statement by it’s Secretary-General, Alfred Kemepado described the recent directive by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson that, one and half months be paid, as a step in the right direction and expressed the hope that, the current efforts will be sustained.
The IYC scribe used the opportunity to call on workers in the State to appreciate the efforts of the Government and not allow themselves to be used by politicians, noting that, the situation is not peculiar to Bayelsa State alone, as every state in the country is going through the same problem.
While sympathizing with the plight of workers at the Local Government level, Comrade Kemepado urged the leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE and other affiliate unions to exercise restraint in their plans to embark on an indefinite strike action.
According to him, even though, the salaries of local government staff are not directly under the purview of the State Government, Governor Dickson has continued to show concern and is already in consultation with the various councils to work out modalities at ensuring that, the backlog of their salaries are equally settled, within the shortest possible time and as the resources permit.
To this end, he noted that though they have a genuine case to embark on an indefinite strike, but that it would not resolve the issue, rather dialogue, consultation and understanding from all stakeholders would settle the issue, particularly as the governor has opened consultation with councils to explore lasting solution to the situation.
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