Bayelsa worker kills self over unpaid salaries

Tragedy has befallen the Bayelsa State Water Board, following the decision of an engineer working with the board, Mr. Peter Ogiero, to commit suicide over 13-month unpaid salaries by the state government.

Ogiero, a middle-aged man, reportedly killed himself on Tuesday after waiting in vain for the Seriake Dickson’s administration to fulfill its financial obligations to the board’s employees.

But the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Kuroghofa Benwari, explained that the deceased did not commit suicide because of unpaid salaries, adding that he was sick for a long time before the unfortunate incident.

He said no regular employee of the ministry was owed salaries apart from about 100 casual workers who were owed 11 months salaries.

He said the matter was receiving attention of the government, adding that the governor had intensified efforts to pay the casual workers.

He, however, blamed the report on the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying the opposition party was promoting the issue to damage the reputation of the governor.

But the father of four, whose life depended on his salary, was said to have capitulated to frustration  over his unpaid salaries and decided to end it all.

The deceased was said to be hypertensive and developed stroke about one year ago when he could not care for himself and his family members.

Following his economic woes, his wife abandoned him, took three of the children and fled to her village.

But his teenage son, Wilson, who depended solely on alms for survival stayed with Ogiero before he finally took his life.

“Ogiero’s condition was pathetic. His death was tragic and painful. He took his life by drinking an insecticide called Sniper. He was so frustrated that he felt life and the government were unkind to him. He was hopeless and helpless,” a source from the family, who spoke in confidence, said.

At Ogiero’s residence in Okaka area of Yenagoa metropolis on Thursday, the deceased relations looked dejected, saying their late brother lived in penury and died a frustrated man.

 

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