The Bayelsa government on Monday said The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has vindicated it on the joint account with councils.
Commisioner for Local Government Administration, Dr. Agatha Goma expressed the view in a reaction to NULGE's statement saying that Bayelsa government does not tamper with council funds.
She said that NULGE's stance on accountability, probity and transparency in the handling of the finances of the Local Government Councils in the state reinforced the position of government.
NULGE in a statement on August 7 advocating local government autonomy in the ongoing constitutional review applauded Bayelsa's non tampering with council funds.
The union clarified that the state government has never interfered or tempered with the funds meant for the local government council.
Goma stated that labour is now on the same page with the state government on the accumulated salary arrears to workers in the councils.
She said that it has become evident that the backlog is not as a result of mismanagement or deliberate ploy to punish workers.
She said that the development was due to the drastically reduced allocation to the councils due to the national economic downturn.
The Commissioner said government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that all agreements reached with labour by the Local Government Councils are implemented to the letter.
She said government showed the commitmen with the dedication of the recent London Paris Club Loan refund to paying salary.
She also attributed the increment in the local government allocation from the Federation Account to investment in security by the state Government.
According to Goma security in Bayelsa has guaranteed a peaceful environment for oil exploration in the state.
"But for the investment in security, we could not have witnessed the relative peace we now enjoy which has created a friendly environment for oil exploration.
"Oil proceeeds from derivation forms the main stay of the state economy," Goma said.
Goma also noted that increment in the allocation to the councils for the month of July gave the council leverage as some of the councils paid up to three months in salary arrears.
While expressing hope that things can only get better, Goma urged NULGE to work with the councils in order to resolve the issues of indiscipline, ghost workers and over blotted wage bill.
She also made appealed to the unions to call-off their strike saying they have made their point and government heard them loud and clear.
It will be recalled that the local government workers in Bayelsa are currently on strike over 14 months salary arrears in some councils in the state.
Goma added that there may be no justification to continue with the strike since government is already addressing their grievances.
On delay in payment of primary school teachers in Ogbia Local Government, she said the teachers will receive their salary before the end of the week.
The Commisioner explained that the leadership of the council is working with the government to facilitate the payment.
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