Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has said his monthly salary is N503,000, lower than the N900,000 earned by Permanent Secretaries in the state.

Oborevwori disclosed this on Thursday 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, the state capital.

The governor, who spoke during the event in a video posted by ARISE TV on YouTube, said the state government had increased the salaries 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 N900,000, my salary is N503,000, Governor’s salary.

“Head of Service is one million. It’s clear. So, you know some of them don’t want their husbands to know how much they are receiving,” he said.

Oborevwori also said his administration had prioritised the welfare of civil servants since assuming office, noting that official vehicles had previously been provided to serving 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.

He said 302 beneficiaries had received support under the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 people had benefited from the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.

The governor added that the state government had provided farm inputs to civil servants willing to venture into farming to create additional income streams and improve food security.

He also said 450 senior management staff received support to attend a seven-weekend training programme through collaborations with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

Oborevwori said the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May ensured that every local government area in the state had a Permanent Secretary in the civil service.

“The process was properly done. Not by saying, 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 national minimum wage, adding that the state agreed to pay the new wage in full after consultations involving the Head of Service, Commissioner for Information and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Not to forget that recently we approved the payment of 13th month salary for civil servants, beginning from December this year.

“It might interest you to know that we are in the process of sending an executive bill to the Delta State House of Assembly to give this gesture legal backing.

“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 added.

Oborevwori 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 structures aimed at improving resource optimisation, operational efficiency and service delivery.

The governor also urged beneficiaries of the newly inaugurated duplexes and other residents of the quarters to ensure the maintenance, security, preservation and cleanliness of the facilities. (The Sun)

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