Civil servants have suffered under Dickson, says Sylva

Timipire Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the December 5 governorship election of Bayelsa state, says some of the policies of Seriake Dickson, governor of the state, have had negative impact on Bayelsa workers.

Speaking through his campaign organisation, Sylva said his main challenger in the election intends keeping the people of the state “perpetual poverty” read a statement signed by Nathan Egba, director of media and publicity in Sylva’s campaign organisation.

“Governor Dickson had boasted that none of his appointees, particularly the commissioners and special advisers would become millionaires under his government.

“Dickson went further to introduce policies that have crippled businesses of Bayelsans in private enterprises so as to ensure that there would be nobody financially strong enough to challenge him in the coming election.

“The civil servants are worst hit as the outgoing Dickson’s administration introduced a draconian regime through multiple taxation to shortchange them and take part of their meager salaries through the back door to keep them in perpetual poverty.

“It is on record that Governor Dickson also starved the entire civil service of funds for the day-to-day running of government business as well as deny civil servants of promotion on the excuse of lack of money to pay them on the next salary grade.”