Delta has paid N14.5bn as pension, other emoluments to employees – Gov Oborevwori

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State says it has so far paid over N14.5 billion to settle pensions and other emoluments to the state’s employees since he assumed office. The Governor disclosed this at an interactive meeting with Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of Parastatals, Departments and Agencies on Thursday in Asaba.

He restated his administration’s commitment to  prompt and sustainable payment of pensions and other emoluments to its employees. He called on the top bureaucrats to work closely with his administration in order to seamlessly deliver on his M.O.R.E Agenda for the benefit of the people. On the new minimum wage, Gov. 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 work. When I came in, I called the Head of Service and we made sure that the cry about promotion arrears was ended. We paid about N5.5 billion in four tranches to settle the issue of promotion arrears.

“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 in the following month; 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,” he said.

He, however, recalled that when he assumed office he found that Permanent Secretaries had no vehicles and he provided them with vehicles.

“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 said.

The Governor cautioned them against working at cross purposes for the overall development of the state.

“You connive with contractors to do bad jobs. You promise contractors that you will review their contracts for them; do you have powers to do reviews? You also want to be a contractor. You award a contract to a contractor and you want to do the drainage attached to the road.

“You, who is supposed to be a site Engineer. So, who will supervise the contractor? You go further to issue certificates for jobs badly done. This is very bad. I want to do well and I need you to do well, too.

“Another thing I also see that is bad is you people approve projects that are bigger than some small villages. How do you approve four blocks of six  classrooms each for a village with less than one hundred people? Why not take the project to where it can be fully utilised?

“When I go for inspections and see bad jobs, I talk unlike you. Almost 80 per cent of the jobs are given to indigenous contractors,” Oborevwori said.