Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called for a national conversation on strengthening local government administration across Nigeria. He made the appeal in Yenagoa on Thursday during a one-day forum titled “Promoting Local Government Workers’ Welfare: The Bayelsa Model,” held at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House.
At the event, Diri presented cheques worth ₦5 billion to retirees and families of deceased staff as part of gratuities, pensions, and death benefits owed by local councils. According to state officials, the payment forms part of the ₦12 billion arrears already settled by his administration for workers at the third tier of government.
Describing councils as “the closest government to the people,” the governor reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of grassroots employees. He commended President Bola Tinubu for showing interest in revamping local government structures and urged a National Dialogue to review their functions, funding, and autonomy.
Gov Diri also proposed allowing states to create local governments in line with their financial capacity, saying this would bring governance closer to rural communities and boost development.
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In goodwill messages, the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Aliyu Kankara, and the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Dr. Kabiru Minijibir, praised Bayelsa for prioritising workers’ welfare.
Other state officials thanked the governor and his deputy for clearing outstanding benefits and promoting efficient service delivery in the councils.
