Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has disclosed that his monthly salary is N503,000, revealing that Permanent Secretaries in the state now earn N900,000 monthly.
The governor made the disclosure on Thursday in Asaba, the state capital, while inaugurating 12 four bedroom terraced duplexes built for Permanent Secretaries and presenting official vehicles to 12 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.
Speaking at the event, Oborevwori said the salaries of Permanent Secretaries were reviewed upward after they complained that the pay gap between them and directors was too narrow.
He said, “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, my salary is 503,000, Governor’s salary. Head of Service is one million.”
The governor said his administration had made the welfare of civil servants a priority since assuming office, adding that the provision of official vehicles was aimed at improving the efficiency and mobility of Permanent Secretaries.
“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.
Oborevwori disclosed that 302 public officers had benefited from the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while another 119 had accessed the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.
He added that civil servants interested in agriculture had also been supported with farm inputs to enable them to generate additional income while contributing to food production in the state.
According to the governor, 450 senior management officers also benefited from a seven weekend training programme organised in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Oborevwori said the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May had achieved an important administrative milestone by ensuring that every local government area in Delta State had representation at the Permanent Secretary level.
He maintained that the appointments were based strictly on merit and not political connections.
“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 further said Delta State was among the first states to implement the new national minimum wage, noting that the state opted to pay the approved wage in full after consultations with relevant stakeholders, including labour representatives.
He also announced that his administration had approved a 13th month salary for state civil servants, beginning from December 2026.
“Not to forget that recently we approved the payment of 13th month salary for civil servants, beginning from December this year.
“It might interest you to know that we are in the process of sending an executive bill to the Delta State House of Assembly to give this gesture legal backing.
“So, 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,” Oborevwori said.
The governor urged civil servants and political appointees to shun absenteeism, nepotism, wastefulness, inefficiency, bribery and corruption, stressing the need for professionalism in public service.
He assured workers that his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure and other facilities designed to improve resource management, operational efficiency and service delivery.
Oborevwori also charged the beneficiaries of the newly commissioned residential quarters and other occupants to protect the facilities and ensure their cleanliness, security and proper maintenance.