Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has disclosed that he earns a monthly salary of ₦503,000, while Permanent Secretaries in the state earn ₦900,000.
Oborevwori made the disclosure on Thursday during the inauguration of 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes for Permanent Secretaries and the presentation of 12 official vehicles to newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Asaba, the state capital.
The governor explained that the state government increased the salaries of Permanent Secretaries after they complained that some directors were earning almost the same amount as them.
“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,” Oborevwori said.
He also disclosed that the state’s Head of Service earns ₦1 million monthly, meaning the two senior civil service positions mentioned by the governor now earn more than his stated monthly salary.
Oborevwori used the occasion to highlight his administration’s welfare initiatives for civil servants, including the provision of official vehicles to Permanent Secretaries to improve their mobility and operational efficiency.
According to him, seven Permanent Secretaries had previously received official vehicles, while the 12 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries were presented with another 12 vehicles during the event.
The governor further disclosed that 302 public officers had benefited from the Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while 119 others had accessed the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.
He said the administration had also provided farm inputs to civil servants interested in agriculture, with the aim of helping them create additional sources of income while contributing to food security.
Beyond financial and material support, Oborevwori said his administration had invested in the professional development of senior civil servants. He disclosed that 450 senior management staff had received support to participate in a seven-weekend training programme organised in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
The governor also said the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May ensured that all 25 local government areas in Delta State now had representation at the Permanent Secretary level of the civil service. He maintained that the appointments were based on merit rather than political recommendations.
Oborevwori further recalled that Delta State was among the first states to implement the new national minimum wage in full. He also announced that the state had approved a 13th-month salary for civil servants, with the government working to give the payment legal backing through an executive bill to the Delta State House of Assembly.
He said the legal backing would ensure that the benefit remained in place beyond the tenure of his administration.
The governor, however, urged civil servants and political appointees to reciprocate the government’s welfare initiatives with greater commitment to their duties. He called on workers to shun absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery and corruption.
He also urged beneficiaries of the newly inaugurated residential quarters and official vehicles to maintain the facilities, ensure their security and keep the environment clean.
The disclosure has drawn attention to the structure of remuneration within the Delta State public service, particularly the contrast between the governor’s stated monthly salary and the current earnings of Permanent Secretaries and the Head of Service.
