In what is seen as a significant move for the welfare of workers under the Delta State Civil Service, Delta workers have expressed satisfaction with the moves made by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori to clear promotion arrears owed personnel. They have also commended the Governor for the commitment shown to the welfare of workers in the civil service.
It is quite rare to find leaders in political office or other positions of leadership in Nigeria or modern African civilization maintaining their commitments to the people they lead. However, in Delta State, one individual appears to live honourably and keep his word to the populace. Gov. Oborevwori, like his predecessor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, continues to keep to his campaign pledges and works to improve people’s quality of life through his M.O.R.E Agenda.
Oborevwori has demonstrated sincerity and consistency with his plans for the state since boarding the Delta ship on May 29, 2023 and he is consistently earning the confidence of the people by keeping his promises.
In this instance, the State workforce stands as a testament to Oborevwori’s loyalty and dedication to the well-being of state employees. Gov. Oborevwori had promised to pay the projected N5 billion in promotion arrears owed public servants before his victory.
On July 26, 2023, he made an unplanned visit to the Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat to inform the staff that he had approved paying the employees’ promotion arrears as they had demanded throughout the electioneering campaigns.
The Governor who was joined by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, announced that the payment would be made in three installments, starting in August and running through October 2023. He affirmed that by sanctioning the payment of the promotion arrears, he had kept his commitment to the employees, and urged them to remain dedicated to their work.
Oborevwori said: “As a promise keeper, I came here for two reasons; to see how you are doing in your work places and to bring the good news that the promotion arrears you have been demanding for all these years, have been approved.
“I have come here to notify you that I have approved it, because I am Governor for all of you and for all Deltans as I promised you with my M.O.R.E Agenda.
“We know the money is huge; its almost N5 billion, but I promised to pay you and I have signed the memo and approved it.
“You will be paid in three tranches from next month, August to October 2023. Continue to do more and work for the interest of this State. I thank you very much for your support and please don’t play with your work.
“I can come here anytime without informing the Head of Service. Today, I decided to inform him but the next time I am coming, I won’t notify you and I will just go into one of these offices to see what they are doing,” he said.
Earlier, the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, who conducted the Governor round the Secretariat, expressed appreciation to the Governor for approving the payment of the promotion arrears and for visiting the workers.
Bayoko revealed that the phased payment would commence in August 2023, starting with Civil Servants in the Ministries. Subsequently, staff in the Judiciary, Parastatals, and Hospitals Management Board, HMB, will receive their payments in September 2023.
He said: Governor Oborevwori has approved a specific payment schedule, wherein the promotion arrears for staff in Higher Institutions within the state and the Post Primary Education Board (PPEB) will be disbursed in October and November 2023, respectively.”
Emphasizing that this payment approval serves as a testament to the Governor’s unwavering dedication to the growth and productivity of the Public Service in the state, the Head of Service stressed the significance of public servants’ continued hard work and commitment to their duties.
“This payment serves as a clarion call for commitment, cooperation, and support towards His Excellency’s vision of a productive and thriving Public Service. Therefore, we implore all staff members to maintain the dedication and hard work that has always been the hallmark of the Public Service,” stated Bayoko.
Bayoko further highlighted the critical importance of promptly processing subsequent updates for eligible officers within three months of receiving relevant letters, urging Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize these matters.
The Governor’s visit afforded most civil servants the opportunity to see the Governor face to face and also interact with him. Some of the workers expressed appreciation to Oborevwori for the approval adding that the payment was coming at a time when workers needed it most to pay children’s school fees.
Darlington Ivovi: said “I could recall that payment of promotion arrears for Public Servants was one of the demands we put on the table during the electioneering campaign period preceding the 2023 general elections. Therefore, I was very happy when we received the news that the Governor has approved the payments of all such promotion arrears to Public Servants across board. It is a moral booster and it has rekindled our hope that we have a responsive government that does not only listen but responds positively to the yearnings and aspirations of the civil servants.
“The payment is also coming at a time when it would be needed most considering the fact that the first and second tranches would be paid August and September respectively. Coincidentally, this is the period schools reopen for new academic session and most parents come under financial pressure during this period. For me, It will help to ease that burden. I commend the Governor for this gesture and we do hope that this kind of positive development should be replicated in other areas.
“For the state civil servants, the fulfillment of this promise is spot on especially as the removal of fuel subsidy is impacting economically on every Nigerian and this they believe will help cushion the effect of the hardship occasioned by the hike in the price of fuel,” Ivovi said.
Mrs Igho Okiemute, a teacher said I am very much elated to hear of the approval and waiting for the payment as it would go a long way in solving some of my financial needs at this time.”
Festus Edoreh said: “Promotion arrears are workers’ entitlements. Denying them of it runs contrary to common sense and logical reasoning of justice and fairness. From this August to November, workers will smile home with their backlog of arrears owed by previous governments. Governor Oborevwori has proven that when the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice and civil servants are happy and thankful to God for a governor like Sheriff. On the M.O.R.E Agenda, we stand”.
Another civil servant, Mr Samuel Ugbaja said: “This is a welcome development and great relief to the would be beneficiaries. It’s coming at a time when many Civil Servants are financially incapacitated. Many have been borrowing to feed, pay school fees, pay house rent and attend to other socio-economic needs.
“We sincerely appreciate Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for taking such a soul lifting decision which is expected to reduce the financial burden of many families.
“Though palliatives will be highly appreciated since not everyone is qualified for the salary arrears. Even some that are qualified will be getting about N20,000 naira while there are some that will get over N400,000 naira depending on the number of months.
“We will appreciate the governor more if he can take such decisive action on pensioners too, God bless the governor”. Ugbaja added.
Ejime Udueme said:”It came to workers including myself as a huge surprise considering the fact that it came when all hope was totally lost….In Civil Service promotion arrears is usually what workers use to better their lives including buying cars, building houses and purchase of landed property….Politicians are always making promises and fulfilling them when they are confronted with election or re-election but Governor Sheriff Oborevwori did this when he had no election soon….He has won the hearts of Delta State workers…..Workers will ensure that his M.O.R.E Agenda is realised to the advantage of all,” he stated.
Mrs Florence Obodo: “i thank our God sent Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for approving the payment of our promotion arrears. This no doubt will spur workers to put in their best in support of the government’s programmes and policies,”
Dr. Josiah Efe, Director, Monitoring & Compliance at Delta State Ministry of Oil & Gas, described the approval as a good development worthy of commendation.
“It’s a good development and worthy of commendation. However, relevant personnel management agencies and officers should ensure that promotion interviews and letters are conducted timely.”
For Ukpedor Oghoghome: “As the saying goes, a worker is worthy of his wages and anyone who labours and is not paid would not be happy. And so for us the civil servants who earn little, we look forward to our promotion and the increase that will follow. It’s sad that after waiting 3 long years to get promoted one is denied the benefits that comes with that promotion. The workers ought to even be compensated financially for the delays but we are happy that it has finally been approved and workers would be smiling again soon,” he said.
For the state Civil servants, the fulfillment of this promise is spot on especially as the removal of fuel subsidy is impacting economically on every Nigerian and this they believe will help cushion the effect of the hardship occasioned by the hike in the price of fuel.
Nelson Egware is Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor of Delta State.
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