Delta Assembly Passes Bill to Institutionalize 13th-Month Salary for Workers

The Delta State House of Assembly has passed an Executive Bill seeking to institutionalise the payment of 13th-month salary to public servants in the state.

The bill was passed on Tuesday following its Third Reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.

The House had earlier suspended its relevant standing orders to allow for the immediate consideration of the bill. The motion for the suspension was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and subsequently adopted.

Reacting after the passage, Guwor commended members of the Assembly for what he described as a bold step towards strengthening workers’ welfare in Delta State.

The Speaker said the Assembly had once again demonstrated that “the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people,” adding that the legislation underscored the state government’s commitment to the wellbeing of its workforce.

Guwor said the passage further demonstrated the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a “welfare-oriented and worker-friendly government.”

According to him, the payment of the 13th-month salary to public servants in Delta State “has come to stay,” expressing optimism that the policy would boost workers’ morale, increase productivity and improve service delivery.

He also commended Governor Oborevwori for initiating the welfare policy, describing it as a significant gesture in recognition of the contributions of public servants to the development of the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Edafe Emakpor, presented the committee’s report on the bill.

Emakpor said the legislation was designed to provide a legal framework for the policy while improving the welfare and productivity of workers across the state.

“The bill is aimed at improving the morale, productivity and overall wellbeing of public servants in Delta State,” he said.

He added that institutionalising the payment would give workers greater assurance and certainty regarding the annual benefit.

With the passage of the bill, Delta State becomes the first state in Nigeria to establish a statutory framework for the payment of a 13th-month salary to public servants, according to the Assembly.

The legislation is expected to provide legal and institutional backing for the annual payment, strengthen the welfare package of public servants and motivate workers towards improved productivity and service delivery.