Udengs Eradiri, the Labour Party’s candidate for governor in Bayelsa State, has expressed sympathy to the state’s teachers for what he called their years of suffering and hardship under Governor Douye Diri’s administration.
Eradiri promised that if elected on November 11 he would wash away the tears of all the teachers in the state in a statement given to DAILY POST to commemorate 2023 Teachers Day.
The LP candidate claimed that in keeping with his People, Education, Agriculture and Power, or PEAP, Agenda, teachers would hold a special place in his government. The candidate referred to teachers as the cornerstone and backbone of all sectors in the state.
Eradiri argued that given the enormous resources the state receives each month, Bayelsa teachers had no right to complain about issues such as unpaid promotion arrears, the minimum wage, a pitiful pay scale, the failure to implement an increase in the retirement age, a lack of adequate training and retraining, among other things.
He pointed out that whereas some states had raised the retirement age from 35 to 40 years and from 60 to 65 years, as allowed by the Federal Government, the current Bayelsa government had refused to do so.
A candidate for the Libertarian Party (LP) noted that many instructors were working in unfavourable environments marked by deteriorating infrastructures, a lack of instructional resources, and low welfare, particularly in rural areas where he said some pupils were still learning in front of trees and in market squares.
“Our teachers merit better. As a result of the significant resources accruing to the state, they are said to be the happiest people in the nation. Unfortunately, this stupid, incapable, and self-centered administration has robbed teachers of their rightful place in society, he continued.
Eradiri also asserted that Diri lacks a formal policy statement for the state’s educational growth and urged that Bayelsa urgently needs a clear direction, road map, and workable plan to advance the educational sector and enhance teacher welfare.
The LP candidate pleaded with the teachers not to be duped by the government’s election-related nice deeds, characterising them as last-ditch efforts to win the election.
He said, “Anything they are promising to do for you right now is fake,” speaking to the teachers. It’s because they want to trick you into voting for them once more. You have been crying out about your problems, but no one has listened to you. They appear out of nowhere to deceive you with false promises.
“Don’t fall for their lies once more. Because a new election is coming up and they need your support, they are promising to do whatever they couldn’t do for you three years ago.
“If you accidentally give them back, they’ll run away from you once more.
“But I’m giving you a better option, a chance for us to lay a strong foundation for our schooling.
“I have made a covenant with you to put your wellbeing first, to deal with all of your problems, and to ensure that you work in an environment with standards that are widely acknowledged. I’m urging teachers to vote for the LP and me so that their kids’ futures will be better because I won’t let you down.
