Delta Governor Reveals His Salary, Political Appointee Earning More Than Him In His State

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has disclosed that his monthly salary stands at ₦503,000, which falls below the ₦900,000 earned by permanent secretaries across the state.

Oborevwori shared this information on Thursday during the inauguration of 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes built for permanent secretaries, alongside the presentation of 12 official vehicles to newly appointed permanent secretaries in Asaba, the state capital.

Speaking at the event in a video captured by ARISE TV on YouTube, the governor explained that the state government adjusted the salaries of permanent secretaries upward after they raised concerns that certain directors were earning amounts nearly equivalent to theirs.

“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 stated.

Furthermore, Oborevwori highlighted that his administration has consistently prioritized the welfare of civil servants since taking office, mentioning that official vehicles were previously distributed to serving 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 noted.

He added that 302 beneficiaries have received financial support through the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 individuals have benefited via the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.

Additionally, the state government has supplied farm inputs to civil servants interested in agriculture to generate supplementary revenue streams and boost local food security.

Oborevwori also shared that 450 senior management personnel received sponsorship to participate in a seven-weekend training program arranged through a partnership with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

According to the governor, the appointment of 12 permanent secretaries in May ensured that every local government area within the state is represented by a permanent secretary in 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 affirmed.

The governor also mentioned that Delta stands among the pioneer states to adopt the national minimum wage, confirming that the state agreed to disburse the full new wage following discussions involving the Head of Service, the Commissioner for Information, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“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 concluded.

Oborevwori charged civil servants and political appointees alike to steer clear of absenteeism, nepotism, resource waste, inefficiency, bribery, and corruption.