Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has disclosed that he earns a monthly salary of ₦503,000, which is lower than the ₦900,000 paid to Permanent Secretaries in the state.
Oborevwori made this known 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.
Speaking in a video shared by ARISE TV on YouTube, the governor said the state increased the salaries of Permanent Secretaries after they complained that some directors were earning almost the same amount.
“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, 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 said his administration had focused on workers’ welfare, noting that official vehicles had earlier been given 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 added that 302 people had benefited from the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 received support through the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.
The governor said civil servants interested in farming had also received farm inputs to create extra income and improve food security.
He added that 450 senior management staff received support to attend a seven-weekend training programme through partnerships with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Oborevwori said the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May gave every local government area a Permanent Secretary in the state 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 and agreed to pay the new wage in full after consultations with key stakeholders, including 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 avoid absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery and corruption.
He said his administration would keep providing infrastructure and other facilities to improve resource use, efficiency and service delivery.
He also urged beneficiaries of the new duplexes and other residents of the quarters to maintain, secure and keep the facilities clean.
