The Rivers State Government has clarified that its annual N100,000 Christmas bonus is disbursed to all civil servants and public office holders in the state without discrimination.
In a statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the government said the bonus is paid to all workers, including pensioners, who are captured on the Rivers state government payroll system.
The clarification followed commendation from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent payment of the Christmas bonus.
While the statement did not mention members of the State House of Assembly, it came a day after the Assembly reportedly returned the bonus to the state treasury.
Sirawoo noted that the N100,000 bonus has been consistently paid over the past three years to civil servants, public officers, and pensioners.
He described the payment as an annual practice and a token of appreciation for the dedication and service of state employees throughout the year.
He further emphasized that Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to proactive measures aimed at providing a social safety net for state employees and their families.
He added that the state government regarded the NLC not merely as a labour union, but also as a critical partner in the “Rivers First” development agenda.
He said that the union’s public acknowledgement of the gesture reflected the cordial relationship between the administration and the workforce.
According to him, workers remain the greatest pride of the Rivers State Government.
“While this bonus is meant to brighten the festive season, our long-term focus remains the continuous improvement of the working environment and the welfare of everyone serving Rivers State,” he said.
