TUC Urges Bayelsa Government to Boost Health Sector Recruitment Despite Notable Achievements

The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Bayelsa State, Julius Laye, has commended the Governor Douye Diri-led administration for its strides in various sectors but urged the government to intensify efforts, especially in the health and education sectors.

Laye acknowledged the state government’s achievements, including ongoing road construction projects, the acquisition of two aircraft, installation of gas turbines, construction of the nine-storey state secretariat building, and the payment of gratuities to retired local government workers.

He, however, expressed concern over the shortage of health workers due to retirements and called for urgent recruitment to prevent a decline in service delivery.

“For me, I’m particularly concerned about areas that directly affect workers, even though I’m aware of the progress in road projects, the arrival of two carriers, and the gas turbines,” Laye said. “From my office window, I can see the ongoing nine-storey secretariat project. Salaries are paid as and when due, and local government gratuities have been cleared. The state gratuity, which was initially ₦27 billion, has been reduced to ₦12 billion.”

He added that while the government has made commendable efforts in education and other sectors, more still needs to be done.

“The Civil Service Commission and the Post-Primary Schools Board have recruited staff, but the Hospitals Management Board hasn’t employed for a long time,” he said. “With people retiring every month and every year, failure to replace them will leave facilities without the needed workforce, which could undermine productivity.”

When contacted, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Mr. Zuokumor, declined to comment, saying, “I wouldn’t want to delve into that right now.”

Efforts to reach the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Barnabas Simon, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.