GOV DICKSON RELEASES ADDITIONAL N300M FOR PAYMENT OF PENSIONERS; PAYMENT TO COMMENCE NEXT WEEK

20/03/2014

GOV DICKSON RELEASES ADDITIONAL N300M FOR PAYMENT OF PENSIONERS; PAYMENT TO COMMENCE NEXT WEEK

The Bayelsa State Government has released the sum of N300 million for payment of gratuity to retirees, which will commence next week.

The Head of Service, Sir Fraser Okuoru announced this shortly after the 37 th session of the State Executive Council on Thursday, in Yenagoa.

Sir Fraser, who recalled that the government had previously paid N1.5 billion to pensioners said the recent release of funds had brought the total amount to N1.8 billion.

He appealed to pensioners in the state, especially the junior cadre to exercise some patience, noting that in due course they would be paid their entitlements.

The Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo, also disclosed that, the sum of N55 million had been disbursed for the procurement of practical science materials for both Junior and senior Secondary Schools for the forthcoming WAEC and NECO examinations in April this year.

Chief Adikumo, also expressed displeasure over the collection of examination fees by Principals of secondary schools, warning those involved in the practice to desist forthwith or be shown the way out, noting that reports reaching government indicated that some schools in the local government areas still collect WAEC and NECO registration fees.

In his words, “I have heard reports severally that some principals in some of the local government areas still collect WAEC and NECO fees.”

According to him, as a result of the importance government attaches to education, it has paid N312 million for WAEC and NECO fees for Bayelsa State students.

Consequently, the Education boss invited the principals of three Secondary schools to his office tomorrow (Friday) by 10 am.

They are, Community Secondary Schools Opuama, Eniwari and Ekowe, all in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

In a related development, The Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa - East Senatorial District, Chief Walter Kuroghefa-Ben-Wari, also noted that the Executive Council resolved and mandated the three senatorial commissioners to investigate cases of illegal collection of examination fees by school principals in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha, expressed the intention of government to reposition the education sector by overhauling the primary and secondary school systems in the state.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State