Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has declared a monthly payment of N3,000 allowance to pregnant women in the state.

The Governor made this known on Monday during the maiden Infant and Maternal Mortality Summit held in Yenagoa, the state capital.

He said the monthly allowance was to cover the cost of antenatal care for expectant mothers, which should be paid once a woman living in Bayelsa becomes pregnant until her delivery.

Dickson clarified that the payment was to make it possible for every pregnant woman to deliver safely and ensure that pregnant women in the state are accounted for, supervised and supported throughout their conception.

He added that the payment will be accessed by pregnant women upon registration for antenatal services at the nearest health care facility. Through the recommendation of that health care center, N3,000 every month will be paid until delivery.

Gov. Dickson explained that the concept was not about making money available, but ensuring the health teams provide monthly reports of the numbers of women who have been registered in the safe motherhood programme from each local government, as well as reports of their pregnancies and delivery.

He concluded by saying his administration has decided to stop the rate of infant and maternal mortality by providing world-class health care facilities in the state.

By Anne Bassey