Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen the welfare, status and working conditions of Permanent Secretaries and other senior civil servants in the state.
Oborevwori disclosed that Permanent Secretaries in the state now earn about ₦900,000 monthly, almost twice his own monthly salary of ₦503,000 as governor.
The governor 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.
According to him, the improved remuneration followed concerns from Permanent Secretaries that the salary gap between them and some directors was too narrow despite the higher responsibilities attached to their positions.
“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 as governor,” Oborevwori said.
He said his administration had deliberately invested in the welfare and professional development of senior civil servants because of their crucial role in implementing government policies and delivering services to the people.
The governor noted that the provision of official vehicles was aimed at improving the mobility and operational effectiveness of Permanent Secretaries as high-ranking career officers in the state civil service.
“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.
Beyond salaries and official vehicles, Oborevwori said his administration had introduced other welfare initiatives, including the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, which has benefited 302 officers, and the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme, through which 119 people had received support.
He also disclosed that civil servants interested in agriculture had been provided with farm inputs to enable them to generate additional income while contributing to food security.
In a further effort to strengthen the capacity of senior officers, the governor said 450 senior management staff had benefited from a seven-weekend training programme organised in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Oborevwori also said the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries in May was carried out on merit and ensured that every local government area in the state had a Permanent Secretary.
“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 said the welfare of civil servants remained a priority of his administration, noting that Delta was among the first states to implement the new national minimum wage.
He also disclosed that the state had approved the payment of a 13th-month salary for civil servants beginning from December, with plans to send an executive bill to the State House of Assembly to give the policy legal backing.
“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.
Oborevwori urged civil servants and political appointees to reciprocate the government’s investment in their welfare by embracing discipline, professionalism and efficiency.
He warned against absenteeism, nepotism, waste, bribery and corruption, stressing that improved welfare must translate into better service delivery.
The governor also charged beneficiaries of the newly inaugurated housing facilities to protect and maintain the infrastructure, assuring that his administration would continue to provide structures and facilities that promote efficiency and improve working conditions in the state civil service.
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