Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Konbowei Benson, stood on the side of the civil servants Friday, when he spoke against delays in the payment of their salaries.
His speech followed the presentation of the 2018 budget estimates by Governor Seriake Dickson before the State Assembly in Yenagoa.
The Speaker, who had earlier sang praises of the governor, advised Dickson to listen to the cries of the people of the state and prioritize their welfare and security going forward in 2018.
The 2018 budget proposal is about N50.003 billion more than the 2017 budget of N243.2billion which was passed by the Assembly and signed into law by Dickson.
Benson urged the governor to address the issue of late payment of workers’ salaries and assuage their cries over their unpleasant socio-economic condition.
He stated that the present economic hardship in the state could be resolved by prompt payment of salaries, adding that the people’s socio-economic condition was better in the early years of his administration.
Benson said: “Your Excellency, I must sincerely make this appeal. In the coming year, we are all aware of what we are passing through today in the state. I wish that the cries of the people (are addressed).”
“And I know the cry is not just about whether you are doing anything, you are even over-performing. But there is one cry: that is the late payment of salaries and late attendance to the projects that you have generously earmarked for the development of the state.”
The Speaker, however, assured the governor that the 2018 budget estimates “will be well-attended to as usual”, and commended him for the significant achievements his administration has recorded in the development of the state.