Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, on Friday marked the 2026 International Workers’ Day with a series of welfare packages for workers, including the allocation of 108 completed housing units and the approval of promotion arrears.
The governor made the announcement during the May Day celebration held at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital, drawing cheers from civil servants and labour leaders present at the event.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, Diri said the one-bedroom apartments, located at the Okaka housing estate, would be allocated to workers, directing the state Housing and Property Development Authority and the Head of Service to immediately work out modalities for their distribution.
In a further boost to workers’ morale, the governor approved the payment of promotion arrears and ordered the implementation of annual promotion steps in line with established civil service rules.
He also addressed concerns raised by labour unions regarding workers in the state fire service who were reportedly excluded from the new minimum wage due to disparities in salary structures. Diri directed the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Local Government to resolve the issue without delay and ensure affected workers benefit from the N80,000 minimum wage earlier approved in October 2024.
On the education front, the governor disclosed that his administration had fully taken over the University of Africa Toru-Orua, noting that he assented to the amended law establishing it as a wholly state-owned institution on March 10, 2025.
Diri also unveiled plans to strengthen the state’s transportation system through the procurement of additional vehicles, including Compressed Natural Gas buses, to enhance mobility. He added that ongoing investments in the state’s independent power project would ensure sustainable operation of the transport system.
While acknowledging the autonomy of local governments, the governor urged council chairmen to prioritise the payment of outstanding Christmas bonuses owed to their workers.
He commended civil servants, teachers, health workers, security agencies, and private sector professionals for their contributions to the state’s development, describing them as the backbone of his administration’s achievements.
“To our civil servants who keep the government running… your dedication and selfless service are the bedrock of our progress,” Diri said, stressing that the milestones recorded by his administration were products of collaboration between government and labour.
Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, in a joint address delivered by the NLC Chairman, Barnabas Simon, lauded the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare.
The unions also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the ongoing nine-storey civil servants’ secretariat, noting that it would provide a more conducive working environment upon completion.
They further commended the administration’s infrastructural strides, which they said were transforming the developmental narrative of the state, while pledging continued support for the government.
