Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has directed the State Pensions and Gratuities Committee headed by the Head of Service, Sir Fraser Okuoru, to expedite action on the payment of the next batch of retirees and pensioners.
He has also urged the committee to be fair and fast in the disbursement of the already released N500 million to alleviate the hardship being experienced by pensioners and retirees in the state.
According to the governor, although the heavy backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities were inherited by the present administration, it will not relent in its efforts at ensuring that every genuine retiree is paid his or her benefits to the fullest.
While appealing to retirees and pensioners to cooperate and appreciate the current efforts of government, he reaffirmed the resolve of his administration to settle all outstanding gratuities and pensions in batches until the backlog owed is cleared.
Dickson, who thanked pensioners and retirees for their show of maturity, discipline and understanding, especially with the committee, advised them to exercise patience, and not allow themselves to be used by mischief makers to fan the embers of discord.
