The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Hon. George Turnah, has called on Governor Douye Diri to urgently implement measures aimed at improving the welfare of Bayelsans amid the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Turnah said the state government must place the well-being of its citizens at the centre of its policies, with particular attention to retirees, students, low-income families and unemployed youths.
He urged the immediate payment of all outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to retired civil servants, noting that many pensioners have endured severe hardship as a result of delayed payments.
According to him, settling the outstanding entitlements would not only restore the dignity of retirees but also demonstrate the government’s commitment to rewarding years of dedicated service.
Turnah also appealed to the state government to promptly release bursary and scholarship allowances to Bayelsa students studying in tertiary institutions within and outside the state. He said timely financial support would ease the burden on parents and enable students to concentrate on their academic pursuits.
On healthcare, the PDP chairman called for the subsidisation of medical services in state-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centres. He stressed that reducing the cost of treatment and essential drugs would make quality healthcare more accessible to residents struggling with rising medical expenses.
Expressing concern over the increasing cost of transportation, Turnah urged the government to introduce transport subsidies or palliative measures to reduce fares across the state. He noted that high transportation costs have become a major burden for workers, students and traders.
As part of measures to tackle unemployment and strengthen security, Turnah proposed the immediate recruitment of 20,000 youths into the Bayelsa Volunteer and Bayelsa Vigilante schemes, with each beneficiary receiving a monthly stipend of ₦150,000.
He said the initiative would create employment opportunities for young people, enhance community security and promote greater youth participation in governance. Turnah expressed optimism that implementing these measures would cushion the effects of the current economic challenges and significantly improve the living conditions of Bayelsans.