Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has stated that his monthly pay is ₦503,000, less than the ₦900,000 paid by permanent secretaries in the state.
Oborevwori made the announcement on Thursday while inaugurating 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes for permanent secretaries and presenting 12 government vehicles to newly appointed permanent secretaries in Asaba, the state capital.
The governor, who spoke at the ceremony in a video posted by ARISE TV on YouTube, stated that the state government had boosted permanent secretaries’ salaries after they complained that certain directors were getting nearly 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; my salary is 503,000, the 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 mentioned that his administration had prioritized 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 stated that 302 people had received assistance through the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 had benefited from the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.
The governor also stated that the state government had supplied farm materials to civil officials who wanted to start farming in order to generate additional revenue and increase food security.
He further stated that collaborations with the administrative officials of the College of Nigeria enabled 450 senior management officials to attend a seven-weekend training session.
Oborevwori noted that 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 it, 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 merit,” he said.
The governor also mentioned that 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 the 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 called on civil servants and political appointees to avoid absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery, and corruption.
He stated that his government would continue to create infrastructure and other structures targeted at optimizing resource use, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
The governor also asked recipients of the newly inaugurated duplexes and other inhabitants of the quarters to maintain, secure, preserve, and clean the facilities.
