My Salary Is ₦503,000, Permanent Secretaries Earn ₦900,000 – Governor Sheriff Oborevwori

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has revealed that he earns a monthly salary of ₦503,000, which is below the ₦900,000 paid to Permanent Secretaries in the state.

The governor made the disclosure on Thursday in Asaba while commissioning 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes built for Permanent Secretaries and handing over official vehicles to 12 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.

Speaking at the event, Oborevwori explained that the salaries of Permanent Secretaries were increased after they complained that some directors were earning almost as much as they were.

“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. It’s clear. So, you know some of them don’t want their husbands to know how much they are receiving,” he said.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also said his administration had made the welfare of civil servants a major priority since taking office.

He noted that the government had previously provided official vehicles to serving Permanent Secretaries and had now provided another 12 vehicles for the newly appointed officials.

“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.

The governor also disclosed that 302 public officers had benefited from the state’s vehicle loan scheme, while 119 others had received assistance through the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.

According to him, civil servants interested in agriculture had also been supported with farm inputs as part of efforts to help them earn additional income and contribute to food production.

He further revealed that 450 senior management officers had been sponsored for a seven-weekend training programme organised in partnership with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

Oborevwori said the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries in May was aimed at ensuring that all 25 local government areas in Delta were represented in the senior ranks of the civil service.

“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 also highlighted his administration’s decision to implement the new national minimum wage, saying Delta was among the states that moved early to adopt it.

“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,” he added.

Oborevwori called on civil servants and political appointees to avoid absenteeism, nepotism, wastefulness, inefficiency, bribery and corruption.

The governor added that his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure and other measures designed to improve efficiency and public service delivery.

He also appealed to those occupying the newly completed government quarters to protect the properties and ensure that the facilities remain secure, clean and properly maintained.

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