Bayelsa health workers employment drive launched to curb Japa Syndrome as the state strengthens healthcare and transparency, says Commissioner Koku-Obiyai

Bayelsa health workers employment has become a key focus of the state government’s strategy to mitigate the growing impact of Japa Syndrome on its healthcare system.

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Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, disclosed on Friday that the government had approved the recruitment of new health professionals to replace those leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

Speaking during the Transparency Briefing for August and September, Koku-Obiyai said the move reflects Governor Douye Diri’s commitment to sustaining quality healthcare delivery and ensuring that hospitals remain adequately staffed despite the wave of migration among medical personnel.

“We have clear employment because of Japa Syndrome. When they leave, we replace,” she said. “The government is providing jobs even in the hospitals because health workers always leave the country.”

Koku-Obiyai stressed that transparency remains a core principle of the Diri administration, noting that the periodic briefings are meant to keep citizens informed about the state’s income and expenditure profile.

“We believe that transparency is a way of building trust. Accountability is key and very important. His Excellency, Douye Diri, is committed to completing all the ongoing projects before leaving office,” she said.

According to her, several landmark projects are currently underway, including the Igbogene/AIT Ring Road, Glory Drive, Yenagoa–Oporoma Road, Ekeremor–Agge Road, and Polako–Sabagreia Road.

She added that the administration is also prioritising power supply as part of its broader drive toward industrialisation and economic growth.

“Our turbines are here and installation has begun. Once power supply stabilises, every house will have meters to pay according to the energy consumed,” she noted.

Koku-Obiyai affirmed that the state is not owing any contractor, explaining that payments are made based on completed work and that no new projects would be initiated until all ongoing ones are finished.

The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Timipre Seipulu, clarified that the recent increase in salary expenditure was due to new political appointments rather than pay raises.

“When people are appointed, they are paid salaries based on the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission policy. The rise was only because more boards were inaugurated recently,” he explained.

Seipulu further revealed that Bayelsa recorded a closing balance of ₦106.58 billion in September and an internally generated revenue of ₦4.67 billion, reflecting improved fiscal performance.

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With its new employment drive and transparent governance framework, the Bayelsa State Government says it is determined to maintain stability in critical sectors — especially healthcare — while strengthening public trust in its development agenda.