By Bassey Afahaeme, Yenagoa
Bayelsa state government has directed the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to liaise with the various local government councils in the state to remove all the bottlenecks causing delay in the payment of the primary school teachers’ salaries in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, during a meeting with the chairmen, vice chairmen and other principal officers of the eight local government areas of the state on Wednesday, also assured primary school teachers that government would do everything possible to ensure they receive their salaries as and when due.
The Deputy Governor who expressed displeasure over the delay, noted that reports at his disposal indicate that primary school teachers get their salaries one or two weeks after all other council staff had been paid.
He also urged the Executive Secretary of SUBEB and other relevant agencies to ensure timely release of the state government’s monthly contribution to the Councils for the payment of the teachers.
He said: “I hear that primary teachers are receiving their salaries late. That other council staff get their salaries one or two weeks before teachers receive theirs.
“I’m not sure it is the fault of the council chairmen because the report I have is that, the money gets to the Councils late and so the councils are also paying late.
“This is in addition to the complaints from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) that their general dues are not getting to them. We need to address this issue so that teachers can also get their salaries as at the time other workers are receiving theirs.” He said
To check fraudulent practices among primary school teachers, the Deputy Governor also set up a committee headed by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, to ascertain the grade levels and steps of primary school staff in the state.
