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, making Delta the first state in Nigeria to establish a statutory framework for the policy.
The landmark bill was passed on Tuesday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, following its third reading.
The Assembly had earlier suspended the 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 to the passage, Guwor commended his colleagues for what he described as a bold step towards strengthening workers’ welfare, noting that the legislation reaffirmed government’s responsibility to prioritise the security and wellbeing of the people.
He also praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for initiating the welfare policy, describing the administration as worker-friendly and committed to improving the lives of public servants.
According to the Speaker, the 13th-month salary policy will boost workers’ morale, enhance productivity and improve service delivery, stressing that the benefit “has come to stay.”
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 would provide a legal framework for the policy, giving public servants greater certainty while improving their morale, productivity and overall wellbeing.
With the passage of the bill, Delta State becomes the first state in Nigeria to enact legislation providing a statutory framework for the payment of 13th-month salary to public servants, further strengthening the state’s workers’ welfare package.