The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Bayelsa State, Julius Laye, has applauded the administration of Governor Douye Diri for its infrastructural and economic strides but called for greater attention to the state’s health sector.
Laye, who made the call in Yenagoa, acknowledged several key achievements of the Diri-led government, including the construction of major roads, acquisition of two aircraft, installation of gas turbines, completion of a nine-storey state secretariat, and payment of gratuities to retired local government workers.
He, however, warned that a shortage of healthcare professionals could soon undermine the functionality of hospitals if new staff are not recruited to replace retirees.
Also Read: Nigeria’s Rural Digital Divide is a National Emergency
“For me, I’m particularly concerned about the health sector. Roads are being constructed, salaries are paid promptly, and gratuities are being cleared. But the Hospitals Management Board hasn’t recruited in a long while,” Laye said. “If retiring staff are not replaced, we’ll have facilities without enough personnel to run them.”
The labour leader also urged the government to sustain its focus on education and ensure that the state’s public service remains efficient and well-staffed.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Mr. Zuokumor, declined to comment on the matter, while efforts to reach the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon, were unsuccessful.
