Delta gives workers extra monthly pay, sets sights on hiring educators

n n

The Delta State Executive Council has approved the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary for civil servants and plans to recruit more teachers for public secondary schools as part of measures to improve workers’ welfare and strengthen education in the state.

n

The decisions were reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and disclosed on Friday in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon.

n

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said the council approved a memo presented by the governor to make the payment of the 13th-month salary a permanent statutory benefit for workers.

n

He said, “The council approved a memo presented by His Excellency to make the payment of the 13th-month salary a permanent statutory benefit for workers in Delta State.”

n

Aniagwu explained that the approval would pave the way for an executive bill to be transmitted to the Delta State House of Assembly to give the policy legal backing.

n

He said, “The approval will pave the way for an executive bill to be transmitted to the Delta State House of Assembly so that the policy will have legislative backing.”

n

According to him, “The payment of the 13th-month salary will no longer depend on the discretion of any administration but will become a legal entitlement for civil servants in the state.”

n

He added that once the bill is passed into law, workers would continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration.

n

“Once the bill is passed into law, workers in Delta State will continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration,” he stated.

n

The commissioner also disclosed that the Executive Council expressed concern over the shortage of teachers in public secondary schools, particularly in science subjects, and directed the Ministry of Secondary Education to prepare a memo indicating the number of teachers required for recruitment.

n

He said, “The Executive Council considered the shortage of teachers in our public secondary schools, particularly in the science subjects, and expressed concern over its impact on the quality of education.”

n

Aniagwu added, “The Ministry of Secondary Education has been directed to immediately prepare a memo indicating the number of teachers required for recruitment, and the council has, in principle, approved the employment of additional teachers to address the manpower gap.”

n

The council also approved the procurement and installation of equipment for the Technical College in Oghareki, Ethiope West Local Government Area, while the Technical College in Irri will also be equipped upon completion.

n

According to Aniagwu, “These approvals underscore the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to revitalising technical education and equipping young people with practical skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship.”

n

He further disclosed that the Executive Council approved several matters relating to the health and transport sectors, including new transport routes across the state.

n

“The Executive Council also considered and approved several matters relating to the health and transport sectors, including new transport routes across the state,” he said.

n

Aniagwu also announced the approval of the appointment of HRM Goodnews Goodman Agbi, PhD, Athuaro I, as the Ovie of Oyede Kingdom in Isoko North Local Government Area.

n

He said the decisions reflected the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and improved public service delivery.

n

“The decisions taken at the meeting reflect the administration’s continued commitment to improving workers’ welfare, expanding access to quality education, strengthening healthcare delivery and enhancing public services across Delta State,” he added.

n n