ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government is working towards giving statutory backing to the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants, with the proposal expected to be presented to the State House of Assembly for legislative action.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after Monday’s meeting of the State Executive Council presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Aniagwu said the proposed legislation was intended to make the payment a formal workers’ benefit rather than one dependent on the discretion of successive administrations.
The move follows the state government’s earlier decision to institutionalise the 13th-month salary. In July, the Executive Council approved a memo on making the payment a permanent statutory benefit and indicated that an executive bill would be forwarded to the House of Assembly for legislative backing.
Aniagwu said the proposed payment was being considered as recognition of workers’ dedication and contribution to the development of the state.
He explained that legislative backing would provide a framework for the benefit to continue beyond the tenure of the present administration.
The commissioner, however, did not indicate that the proposed legislation had already been enacted by the House of Assembly.
The development therefore places the next major step in the process on the legislative side, where the proposal would have to go through the necessary procedures before it can become a statutory entitlement.
The proposed institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary forms part of the Oborevwori administration’s broader focus on workers’ welfare, coming alongside other measures involving public infrastructure and accommodation for senior government officials.
The latest Executive Council briefing also included approvals for the rehabilitation of schools, road reconstruction, additional residential quarters and other public infrastructure projects across Delta State.
