Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has directed the State Pensions Board to commence the process of paying pensioners in the State, beginning from this week.
A Government House statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson says, the Governor gave the directive to alleviate the suffering of pensioners, despite the fact that, their verification exercise was still ongoing.
According to the statement, the payment would be done in line with the schedule already drawn up by the board, to be announced soon.
Governor Dickson also used the occasion to thank Bayelsans, especially the civil servants and the pensioners for their patience and understanding, stressing that, the Government will continue to do its utmost best to meet its salary obligations to the workers and the pensioners.
The Governor, who expressed serious concern over the plight of workers and pensioners, however, urged civil servants and youths in the state, not to allow themselves to be used by disgruntled politicians to disrupt the existing peace in the state.
He noted that, the same politicians, who are not doing anything to assist them in getting out of their difficult situation, despite claims of being part of the Federal Government, want to use them to achieve what is clearly their selfish agenda.