Oborevwori who announced the approval on Tuesday while swearing-in 26 Commissioners into the State Executive Council, said the payment would start from August, adding that the staff figure included employees of the ten higher institutions in the state.

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He also approved that workers from salary grade Levels 1-14 should run shifts, with  first batch                                 Mondays to Wednesdays and second batch, Thursday to Friday.

He said: “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. The other arms of government – the judiciary and legislature – are to work out their modalities as they deem fit.

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“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.

“In line with my electoral promise, I recently approved the payment of outstanding promotion arrears to twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and eighty-seven (23,887) workers in the state public service.

“The total amount payable is five billion, five hundred and twenty-two million, six hundred and thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight naira, and five kobo (N5, 522,637, 848.05). The payment commences from this month of August and will be made in four tranches.

According to him, “the thorny issue of unpaid local government pensions is nearing final resolution. My administration helped to secure legislative approval for the local government councils to obtain a N40b bank loan to enable them liquidate their backlog of pension liabilities.

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“The loan, which is guaranteed by the state government, is payable over a five-year period, and will be deducted from the accounts of the local government councils. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the payment of the pensions should commence soon.

” I have also given the nod for the local government councils to recruit teaching and non-teaching staff to fill up existing vacancies. At least 2,000 persons will be gainfully employed through this process. In due course, we shall carry out comprehensive audit of physical infrastructure in our primary and secondary schools to enable us know where there are gaps and respond accordingly.

“My administration will spare no expense in providing the conducive climate essential for high quality learning experiences in our schools.

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“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, 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 the following segments of the population, namely;People Living with Disabilities (PwDs);Widows;Poor and vulnerable households that do not belong to the above categories; and the aged.17.

“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.

“Finally, I wish to reiterate the point I made to the Special Advisers on the need for elected officials and political appointees to be our brother’s keeper given the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

“Our people are going through very difficult times. Therefore, those of us that have the privilege of public office must do everything within our power to bring relief to the poor and the less privileged.  Please, be available to the people. This is very important because our people need to see that we care. “

Congratulating the new ccommissioners, Oborevwori advised them to be humble.

“Being a commissioner does not make you superior to others. So, you must shun pride and arrogance.

“This appointment is simply a call to higher responsibility, and you must justify the confidence that has been reposed in you with good judgment, tenacity of purpose, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the development of the state and the welfare of our people”, he said.

Vanguard