Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has been challenged to explain reason for 23 months unpaid salary of lecturers in the state-owned Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa.

All Progressives Congress Youth League in the state made the demand in a statement signed by its leader, Mr. Domor Mienye, and issued in Yenagoa on Friday.

The group claimed that some workers and academic staff in the university were being owed salary for 23 months.

It wondered why the Dickson administration was beating its chest in self praise as up to date in salaries payment whereas majority of the workers were yet to be paid for months.

“It is on record that lecturers in the Niger Delta University (NDU), who were employed in October, 2013, have not been paid their salaries since then, though they have been working diligently.

“Pensioners have not been paid for two months and Dickson has also suspended the payment of gratuity in the state.

“We cannot fathom why he has refused to pay them; it is an irony that Gov. Dickson has chosen the path of negligence and deliberate victimisation of a selected few.

“The affected workers and pensioners should come out and ask Dickson for their entitlement.”

It would be recalled that Dickson was confronted with the outstanding

When contacted for reaction on the development, Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Dan Kikile, said that he was not in a position to speak on the issue.

He said that enquiries on it should be directed to union leaders in the institution.

Dr. Beke Sese, immediate past Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), confirmed that the state government owed the lecturers 23 months’ salary.

•Photo shows Gov. Dickson.