….Governor unveils 12 duplexes, vehicles for Permanent Secretaries
ASABA — Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday disclosed that he earns a monthly salary of ₦503,000, while Permanent Secretaries in the state receive ₦900,000.
Oborevwori made the disclosure during the inauguration of 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes for Permanent Secretaries and the presentation of 12 official vehicles to newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Asaba.
Explaining the disparity in salaries, the governor said the state government increased the remuneration of Permanent Secretaries after they complained that some directors were earning almost the same amount as them.
“When the Permanent Secretaries said most of the Directors are receiving almost the same thing with them, we increased their money. Today, Permanent Secretaries, your salary is ₦900,000; my salary is ₦503,000, Governor’s salary.
“Head of Service is ₦1 million,” he said.
Oborevwori said his administration had made the welfare of civil servants a priority, stressing that the provision of official vehicles was aimed at improving the mobility and efficiency of Permanent Secretaries.
“To enhance their mobility and operational efficiency, we provided official vehicles to serving Permanent Secretaries. And today, it is my pleasure to present another 12 vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries that were recently sworn in,” he said.
The governor disclosed that 302 public officers had benefited from the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 had accessed the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.
He added that farm inputs had been provided to civil servants interested in agriculture to enable them generate additional income while contributing to food security.
According to him, 450 senior management staff had also benefited from a seven-weekend training programme organised in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Oborevwori said the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May was designed to ensure that all local government areas in the state were represented in the top echelon of the civil service.
He maintained that the appointments were based on merit and not political recommendations.
“The process was properly done. Even the one that was appointed in my place, I don’t even know the person. All the Permanent Secretaries appointed, no one was recommended by anybody, but by merit,” he said.
The governor also said Delta was among the first states to implement the new national minimum wage, noting that his administration agreed to pay the approved wage in full after consultations with labour and relevant government officials.
He disclosed that the state had also approved the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants from December this year.
“Recently, we approved the payment of 13th month salary for civil servants, beginning from December this year,” he said.
Oborevwori added that his administration was preparing an executive bill to give the policy legal backing, saying this would ensure its continuation beyond his tenure.
“So, it is something that is compulsory. By the time it has legal backing, even when I leave office in 2031, they will still be paying you your 13th month salary,” he said.
The governor urged civil servants and political appointees to shun absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery and corruption.
He said his administration would continue to provide infrastructure and other facilities to improve resource utilisation, operational efficiency and service delivery.
Oborevwori also urged beneficiaries of the newly inaugurated housing facilities and other residents of the quarters to maintain the buildings, protect the facilities and ensure that the environment remained clean and secure.
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