Bayelsa Govt. Clears The Air On Traditional Ruler’s Allowance
By Orji Onyekwere
The Bayelsa State Government has reacted to the controversial statement made by HRM King Aranka over the payment of monthly allowance to traditional rulers in the state. Below is the statement as seen by RovingNaija
We have watched with dismay the video of HRM King Collins Aranka of Opokuma Kingdom commenting on the monthly allowance paid traditional rulers by the Bayelsa State Government.
While the government will continue to respect the exalted stool of His Majesty, it is expedient to set the records straight.
HRM King Aranka had erroneously told his guest, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his palace in Opokuma town, that Paramount Rulers and traditional rulers in the state were being paid N28,000 as monthly allowance.
This is patently incorrect and false in every material sense.
While the government cannot figure out his motive, it is however, a surprise why the monarch toed this path of deliberate misinformation.
The fact is that the Bayelsa State Government pays First Class Kings in the status of King Aranka the sum of N650,000 monthly.
Second Class Kings receive N120,000, Third Class Kings get N80,000 while Fourth Class Kings are paid the sum of N30,000 monthly.
The government further states that contrary to the Opokuma monarch’s claim, at no time was any traditional ruler demoted from third class to fourth class.
Instead the immediate past administration reviewed and expanded the scope of traditional stools in the state to create fourth class stools without demoting anyone.
Having made this clarification, the government would not join issues any further with the traditional institution over the unfortunate comments by HRM King Collins Aranka of Opokuma Kingdom.
Bayelsa State Government.
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