The Delta State government has taken a significant step to ensure the payment of a 13-month salary to civil servants, shielding it from the discretion of any governor, present or future. An executive bill formalising the policy as a permanent statutory entitlement has been passed by the State House of Assembly and is awaiting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's assent. This move aims to provide a stable and predictable income for civil servants.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed the development in Asaba, describing the bill as one of the most consequential welfare reforms of the current administration. He emphasized that once the bill is passed into law, workers in the state will continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration. This assurance aims to alleviate concerns about the sustainability of the payment.
The 13-month salary payment is not a watered-down or symbolic gesture, according to Aniagwu. Civil servants will receive a full additional paycheck, equivalent to their December salary, on top of their regular 12-month salary. This means that workers will effectively receive a second full December-equivalent paycheck, providing them with extra financial support.
The bill's passage was expedited by the State House of Assembly, who considered it immediately without delay. Aniagwu expressed appreciation to the Assembly members for their swift action, enabling the bill to be passed and await the governor's assent. This collaborative effort between the executive and legislative arms of government aims to improve the welfare of civil servants.
The sustainability of the 13-month salary payment is anchored on the state's improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The state's IGR has risen from ₦75 billion annually in 2023 to ₦204 billion today, with a projected increase as new investments, including those at the Koko Free Trade Zone, begin to contribute to the state's tax revenue. This upward trajectory is expected to strengthen the state's financial capacity to support the payment.
The 13-month salary payment is part of the current administration's efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants. Governor Oborevwori's assent to the bill will make the payment a statutory entitlement, ensuring its continuity beyond the present administration. This move demonstrates the government's commitment to enhancing the lives of its employees.
With the bill awaiting the governor's assent, civil servants in Delta State can look forward to a more stable and improved financial future. The 13-month salary payment is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of workers, providing them with extra financial support and security.
Key points
- The Delta State government has taken a legislative step to shield the 13-month salary payment to civil servants from the discretion of any governor.
- The payment will be a full additional paycheck, equivalent to the December salary, on top of the regular 12-month salary.
- The state's improved Internally Generated Revenue anchors the sustainability of the 13-month salary payment.
