Subsidy removal: Oborevwori unfolds palliative regime for Deltans

By Fred Edoreh

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, has unfolded a series of palliative measures for the state public service staff and other segments of the society to cushion the biting economic effect of the removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government.

The regime includes the payment of additional N10,000 for the next three months to each of the 50,196 members of the state public service and the reduction of working days through the implementation of a weekly shift system.

The Governor who unravelled the package on Tuesday in Asaba during the swearing in ceremony of commissioners into the State Cabinet also informed that a committee headed by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, has equally been mandated to work out a palliative regime for the informal sector with focus on persons living with disabilities, widows and old people.

Part of the palliative measures also includes exploring the possibility of investing in the production of electric and gas powered public transportation vehicles and tricycles to mitigate the incidence of galloping price of petrol, especially in public transportation.

“I am pleased to report that this administration has taken decisive steps to improve the welfare of our workers, which is an integral part of the MORE agenda. To cushion the hardship our people are facing as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and the downward spiral of the naira against the dollar, I have approved the payment of Ten Thousand (N10, 000.00) naira to the fifty thousand, one hundred and ninety-six workers (50,196) in the state public service for the next three months starting from August. The staff figure includes employees of the ten higher institutions in the state,” the Governor revealed in his address.

“Furthermore, I have approved that workers from salary grade Levels 1-14 should run shifts. This schedule will be implemented on a rotational basis. Those who work from Monday-Wednesday in one week will work Thursday to Friday the following week to ensure fairness and equity. The schedule for officers from salary grade Levels 15 and above is to be worked out by the various MDAs as it is suitable for them. However, staff on essential services must be on duty while working remotely is also encouraged.

“We are keeping faith with the electorate to make life richer and more fulfilling for them as contained in the MORE Agenda. Consistent with my pledge to be Governor for all, I have constituted a committee headed by the SSG and other stakeholders including labour to work out palliatives that will cover People Living with Disabilities, Widows and the aged.

“I expect us to roll out palliatives for these categories of people as soon as the committee submits its report. Meanwhile, the committee is also looking at the possibility of the state government acquiring electric vehicles for public transportation. The committee has equally been mandated to initiate the process of converting the existing Tricycle (popularly known as keke) assembly plant in Asaba into a dual-purpose factory that will be able to produce gas-powered keke, in addition to those running on petrol. If this is done, it should significantly drive down the cost of transportation.”

Governor Oborevwori also charged the Legislative and Judiciary arms of government as well as the local government tier who are under financial independence of the executive, to work out palliatives for their staff according to their capacity.

“The other arms of government – the judiciary and legislature – are to work out their modalities as they deem fit. As you are aware, local government workers are not under the administration of the state. However, we have held consultations with the leadership of ALGON and it is our earnest expectation that ALGON will implement the same palliative measures for its workers.”

Besides the new palliative measures, Governor Oborevwori outlined several other measures being taken by his administration to provide economic comfort for the people. They include his approvals for the payment of arrears of promotion allowance for 23,887 members of the public service, to be done in batches between August and November, the recruitment of over 2000 teaching and non-teaching staff to provide jobs and fill existing vacancies in the primary education sector, and support for the Local Government Councils to obtain a N40 billion facility for the payment of pensions and gratuity to their old staff.