Isele-Uku: The Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said salaries owed local government workers was attributable to their unique salary structure and large number of staff.
He said that it was only in Delta State that some local government councils have the same salary structure with the state government and the Federal Government.
The governor, who expressed sadness that staff of the third tier of government are suffering in the state as a result of salary arrears, noted that apart from the salary structure, some local government councils have more than 700 persons as their staff strength.
He spoke yesterday at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state during the electoral victory celebration and empowerment programme of the Member representing the area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.
While assuring that his administration would not encourage the sack of workers because of the recession ravaging the country, Governor Okowa disclosed that the councils have adopted an approach where only verified staff and “those who come to work are paid.”
He also used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to equitable distribution of projects in the state, asserting, “we are doing a lot across the state and Deltans in Central, South and North know that I am not discriminating.”
“Despite the tough times, we are doing a lot because God has given us the wisdom to utilize what we have to the benefit of our people, I am confident that our revenue will improve in 2017 and we will increase the tempo of what we are doing in the state,” the governor said.
He congratulated Hon. Nwaobi for the affirmation of his victory at the polls by different courts of the land, noting that dedicating such victories to God was important because, political offices were to render service to God and humanity.
“We must be constantly reminded that we were chosen to serve for a reason; the real thanksgiving is to render selfless service to mankind and to the service of God,” the governor said.
The Senator representing Delta North, Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, among others, who spoke at the occasion, thanked God for the ingenuity of Governor Okowa for the effective management of the resources of the state to the benefit of Deltans.
Delivering a sermon at the Thanksgiving Mass held at St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Issele-Uku, Rev. Fr. Andrew Nwulo urged Christians, especially political office holders to be charitable, forgiving and peaceful while Hon. Nwaobi thanked Governor Okowa for the developmental projects going on in his constituency.
