By David Owei, Bayelsa

In a major shift of position, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has approved an improved harmonised salary structure for all categories of party officials from the ward to the state level.

The harmonised salary structure was contained in a communique issued at the end of the State Working Caretaker Committee (SWCC) under the leadership of acting Chairman, George Turnah.

Before deliberations, the ad-hoc committee set up to review the salaries of party officials had submitted its report, prompting a consensus vote for an increment.

The communique signed by the publicity secretary, Derri Alasuote Wright, stated that the party leadership expressed concern over the inadequate welfare and challenging working conditions experienced by its elected officials, particularly the ward executives.

It pointed out that the monthly salaries of ₦5,000 and ₦20,000 for ward and local government executives, respectively, were demeaning.

According to the party, the salary condition was unacceptable, especially under a leadership that prioritises the welfare and well-being of elected officials.

Under the harmonised salary structure Local Government Party chairman will earn ₦621,000 monthly, equivalent to a Special Adviser in the appointment of the state government.

Also, the Local Government Vice-Chairman and secretary will earn ₦336,000, aligning it with the salary of a Senior Special Assistant in the Bayelsa State government, while other members of the Local Government executive will now go home with ₦196,000, equivalent to the level of a Special Assistant.

The communique stated that at the Ward level, the harmonised salary structure is ₦336,000 for the Ward Chairman, equivalent to a Senior Special Assistant in the Bayelsa State Government, while the Ward Vice Chairman and Secretary will now earn ₦196,000 each, equivalent to a Special Assistant in the Government of Bayelsa State.

The remaining fourteen members of the Ward Executive will each earn ₦120,000 as equivalent to Grassroot Mobilization appointees in the Bayelsa State Government.

The communique read in part; ‘’Similarly, elected Party officials at the Senatorial District levels and Non-working Committee members of the Party at the State level are classified as Special Advisers equivalent in the Bayelsa State Government and will now earn the sum of 621,000 as monthly stipend, while members of the State Working Committee, placed at par with Cabinet Commissioners of the Bayelsa State Government, will now earn the sum of 1,048,500 as monthly allowances going forward. These adjustments, as contained in the now-approved harmonized salary structure for elected officials of the PDP in Bayelsa State, take immediate effect with the implementation date from 31st May 2025.

‘’The State Working Caretaker Committee has directed the Acting State Secretary to immediately communicate this resolution and the approved new salary structure to the leader of the Party in the State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, for his attention and necessary action. It is the hope of the State Working Caretaker Committee that, upon full implementation, the gains of the new wage earnings will signify the Party’s commitment to the welfare of its officials.

‘’The cumulative wage bill for elected officials of the Party in the State will come to the sum of 306,496,000.00 monthly. For a Party in power in the State, this figure is not only reasonable but affordable as it will help in enhancing the capacity and performance of elected Party officials of the Party in the State, as well as improving their welfare and wellbeing while in active service to the Party, the Government, and the people of Bayelsa State.’’

The SWCC seized the opportunity to review developments in the party across the Federation and particularly in the South South Zone and therefore passed a vote of confidence in the National Vice Chairman of the South South Zone, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, and the National Secretary of the Party, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu for their commitment and efforts in repositioning and refocusing the party.

By Our Reporter

Ahead of November,8 governorship election in Anambra State,a group on the aegis of ‘Mahogany Spartan’ has warned that it would not hesitate to lynch election riggers on the spot and damn the consequences.

President of the group Hon. Obiora Gablyn Oguonu who gave this warning while fielding questions from newsmen in Onitsha in Anambra State on Wednesday said the action has became necessary to stop declaring one who does not win the election a winner.

“Whoever that is to be used to rig the election will get it hot. Let the winner be people’s choice, we are.tired of this misguided justices. 60 per cent of those who claim to be politicians are mere political contractors.

“We will not take it any longer, we have to purge the state of election riggers. Whoever wants to rig election come the November 8 governorship election should do so in his house and not at the arena of the election because such a person or persons should get it hot.

“No matter his status in the society we don’t care. We will lynch him on the spot and damn the consequences. We are tired of this illegality, Election result victory should be given to the person who gets majority of the votes in a hitch free election. Somebody the majority wants and voted for.

The president who said the group is not biased in carrying out its function, reiterated that he is fighting for the oppressed Nigerians who the bulk of the sufferings gets to.

On security situation in the state he commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts so far in curtailing it but lamented the composition and modus operandi of the local vigilante operatives who according to him have turned security into commercial venture.

“I saw some masked people extorting money from motorists However, if they are well paid they will not be extorting money from motorists and other road users. Also they are not suppose to dress like fake native doctors the state government said it is hunting for.

“Security is a serious business that has to do with protection of lives and property of the people and as such vigilante group has to compose of familiar people in the area for easy detection and not to compose of one from Kogi, Calabar, Igbo, among others.

“Close Circuit cameras, CCTV kind of will be of immense assistance in security management and as such should be installed to curtail most of the crimes,” he stated.

He lamented that the major sponsors of violent crimes are some of the wealthy which makes wagging war against crimes and criminality almost impossible.