Delta Pays N14.5bn Pension Benefits, N5.5bn Promotion Arrears

Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has disclosed that his administration had paid over N14.5 billion pension obligations and about N5.5 billion in four tranches to settle the promotion arrears.

Governor Oborevwori who disclosed this during an interactive meeting with Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Parastatals, Departments and Agencies in Asaba on Thursday, disclosed that Delta State has a very high wage bill.

While saying Lagos and Delta are the highest in the entire country, with Delta having about 55,000 workers, he restated his administration’s commitment to the prompt and sustainable payment of pensions and other emoluments of its employees.

The Governor said the meeting was apt and called on the top bureaucrats to work closely with his administration to seamlessly deliver on his MORE Agenda for the benefit of the people.

On the new minimum wage, Governor Oborevwori reiterated that he was awaiting the chart before activating its implementation in the state.

“I have made a lot of efforts to see that we partner in order to move our state forward. I want everyone to be happy as we are working. When I came in, I called the Head of Service and we made sure that the cry about promotion arrears was ended.

“I asked the Accountant-General what to do to ensure that we pay workers before the end of the month preferably, on the 26th of every month. Since I came, I have never paid workers salaries on the 1st; I pay before the end of every month.

“On the issue of training, I have always approved any memo on training because I encourage training. I have also approved monies for the funding of the Public Officers’ Loan Scheme.”

The governor recalled, “When I came in, I found out that Permanent Secretaries did not have vehicles and I provided them with vehicles. We paid about N5.5 billion in four tranches to settle the issue of promotion arrears.

“When fuel subsidy was removed, I approved the payment of extra N10,000 to each worker for three months to augment their salaries. I also approved that workers run shifts which I have not stopped till date because I do not want the workers to suffer.

“Delta State has a very high wage bill. I think Lagos and Delta are the highest in the entire country. We have about 55,000 workers.”

He cautioned the top bureaucrats against working at cross purposes for the overall development of the state.