Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva and his successor, Mr. Seriake Dickson have continued their war of words, in a response to the former governor’s statement over pension money, Governor Dickson, said the ex-governor is a drowning man. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Iworiso-Markson on Tuesday said he would not join issues with Sylva, who is a “drowning” man.
Giving explanation on the decision of the government to establish the judicial panel, he said the swtting up of that panel was informed by the need to address the deep-seated rot and systematic failures of some civil servants and political leaders.
“These persons working as syndicates have over the years siphoned N5bn meant for the payment of pensioners in the state,” he said.
“Concerned about the plight of these pensioners, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, since coming into office, has paid N1bn to the pensioners in his efforts to clear the backlog.
“While, we are working hard to clear the backlog, the same syndicates, instead of hiding their faces in shame, have chosen to embark on a campaign of calumny and propaganda against the government by inciting some of the pensioners to embark on streets’ protests.”
Speaking further, Iworiso-Markson, it is to this end that the government decided to set up the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ascertain why pensioners were owed pension and gratuities for the past five years and the public servants that have subjected senior citizens to untold hardship.
“It is equally laughable that some people who may have perpetrated the scam are questioning why Governor Dickson limited the period of the investigation to five years,” he said.
