Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday directed that workers be promoted as and when due, with payment of necessary financial obligations, to avoid piling up promotion arrears.
Governor Oborevwori gave the directive when he received on courtesy call, Judges of the State Judiciary, led by the Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai at Government House, Asaba.
He said his administration approved over N600 million monthly at N10,000 each per worker to be paid as palliative for three months in the first instance to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on workers.
Governor Oborevwori said: “On the issue of promotion arrears, I don’t want to hear it again because if workers are promoted as and when due, the issue of promotion arrears will not arise.
“But when you delay and you take about two years and accumulate this money for us to pay, it is not easy for the Government.
“When we came in, we heard about the salary arrears which was not caused by the Government. When people are due for promotion and you don’t promote them at that time, thereby causing problem for the Government.
“When I asked for the salary arrears, I was told N5.5bn and I said I will pay it in four tranches and we have paid two tranches, we will conclude the payment in November. I have promised and I have made the money available”.
The Governor emphasized the importance of the Judiciary to the prompt dispensation of justice and reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realisation of a truly independent and financially autonomous Judiciary.
“When I was the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, we passed the bill for financial autonomy of the Judiciary and that of the request to increase the service years of the Judiciary from 65 to 70 years.
“As a custodian of the executive arm of Government, I am not unaware of the challenges that faces the judiciary but I must confess that they have been a strong ally in shaping the future of our dear State and in moving our nation forward.
“I am aware of the various capacity building fora that the leadership of the judiciary has embarked upon in recent times in the collective development of our judiciary.
“As a Government founded on morality, equity and justice, we will continue to be supportive of your role in the achievements of a better society for mankind.