Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
In a significant policy shift, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has approved a new harmonised salary structure for its officials, spanning from the ward level to the state executive.
The decision was announced in a communique issued after a meeting of the sate working caretaker committee (SWCC), chaired by acting chairman George Turnah. The move follows the submission and adoption of a report by an ad-hoc committee tasked with reviewing the salaries of party officials.
The party expressed concern over the poor welfare and difficult working conditions of its officials, especially those at the grassroots. According to the communique, monthly stipends of ₦5,000 for ward officials and ₦20,000 for local government executives were deemed grossly inadequate.
Local government party chairmen will earn ₦621,000 monthly, aligning with the salary of a special adviser in the state government.
Vice chairmen and secretaries at the local government level will receive ₦336,000 each, equivalent to the pay of a Senior Special Assistant.
Other executive members in the local government will now earn ₦196,000 monthly, similar to a special assistant’s pay grade,at the ward level,ward chairmen will receive ₦336,000 monthly.
vice chairmen and secretaries will each earn ₦196,000.
The remaining 14 members of the ward executive will be paid ₦120,000 monthly, in line with the remuneration for grassroots mobilization appointees.
Additionally, elected officials at the senatorial district level and non-working committee members at the state level will receive ₦621,000 monthly, while members of the state working committee will earn ₦1,048,500, matching the salary of Bayelsa State Cabinet Commissioners.
These changes are set to take effect from May 31, 2025. The communique emphasized that the total monthly wage bill for party officials under this structure will be ₦306,496,000. The party maintains that this is a sustainable cost, given its position in power within the state, and believes the new salaries will boost performance and morale.
The SWCC has instructed the Acting State Secretary to formally notify the leader of the party in the state, Governor Douye Diri, for his attention and further action.
In a related development, the SWCC also reviewed the state of the party across the country, particularly in the South South zone. It passed a vote of confidence in Chief Dan Osi Orbih, National Vice Chairman (South South), and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary, commending their efforts in repositioning the PDP.
