The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his foresight and commitment to workers’ welfare, following the passage of the historic 13th Month Salary Bill by the state legislature.
The commendation came on Tuesday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, after the House passed the Executive Bill seeking to institutionalize the payment of thirteenth-month salary to public servants in Delta State.
Rt. Hon. Guwor described the passage as a historic milestone in workers’ welfare, noting that the gesture was a significant way to appreciate the contributions of public servants to the development of the state.
The Bill, which had been referred to the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges at the previous sitting, scaled through full legislative scrutiny on Tuesday.
To fast-track its passage, the Speaker sought the suspension of relevant standing orders of the House to enable immediate consideration and Third Reading of the Bill during plenary.
The motion for the passage of the Bill was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Hon. Barr. Edafe Emakpor, and was subsequently unanimously adopted by members.
Immediately after the passage, Speaker Guwor lauded members of the 8th Assembly for taking what he described as a bold and people-oriented step towards strengthening workers’ welfare.
According to the Speaker, the Assembly had once again demonstrated that “the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people,” as enshrined in the Constitution.
He noted that the legislation underscored the commitment of the state government to the wellbeing of its workforce, and further validated the Oborevwori administration as a “welfare-oriented and worker-friendly government.”
“The payment of the thirteenth-month salary to public servants in Delta State has come to stay,” Guwor declared.
He expressed optimism that the institutionalization of the policy would boost workers’ morale, enhance productivity, and improve overall service delivery in the state public service.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Chairman of the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Edafe Emakpor, presented the committee’s report on the Bill.
Hon. Emakpor said the legislation was carefully considered and designed to provide a legal framework for the policy and improve the welfare and productivity of workers.
“The bill is aimed at improving the morale, productivity and overall wellbeing of public servants in Delta State,” he said, stressing that institutionalizing the payment would provide workers with greater assurance, certainty and financial relief, especially during the festive season.
He added that making the 13th month salary a law would ensure it is an entitlement and not a privilege, protecting it from policy summersaults.
With its passage, Delta State is set to become the first state in the country to have a law backing the payment of 13th month salary, a development that has been widely praised by labour leaders and stakeholders as a trailblazing initiative by Governor Oborevwori.
The Bill will now be forwarded to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for assent.
