A concerned Bayelsan, Ebibodei T. Perewari, has expressed worry over the delay in the payment of statutory severance to immediate past Bayelsa State commissioners and special advisers.
Perewari, in a statement made available to Mangrovepen.ng on Monday, said although he is aware that the payments are being processed by the government, it’s taking too much time.
According to him,the prompt payment of the severance would serve as an acknowledgement of their contributions to the success of the self-styled prosperity administration in the last tenure.
It will also enable them to cushion the harsh realities of the economy, he added.
He therefore urged the Bayelsa state government to quickly pay the ex-appointees their severance packages which he described as their statutory benefits of serving the state.
However, the concerned Bayelsan lauded the Diri-led governnent for its good governance as well as the people-oriented policies and projects it has executed since coming to power.
Perewari also expressed the belief that Governor Douye Diri will bring the much needed progress to the state at the end of his second stint in office.
His words: “The Bayelsa State Government under Diri has been doing very well in all areas since coming to power.
But one area it will have to expedite action or be more prompt is the payment of severance packages to immediate past Bayelsa State commissioners and special advisers to the Governor.
“While I have been told that the state government is working to effect the payments, I think those in charge of the process are taking too much time.
“As the saying goes ‘delay is dangerous’ and I believe the government would not want a situation where these persons who had served the state fervently in the first tenure of the Prosperity Administration lose faith in the system regarding their severances.
“Thus, I want to use this medium to call on the state government to expedite action regarding the payment severances to the immediate past commissioners and special advisers.
“Doing so will enable them to execute their plans for the present and the immediate future.”
Perewari equally thanked Diri for his choice of commissioners thus far and urged him to send the second batch so the remaining ministries will be led by competent Bayelsans for the smooth running of his government.