Delta state government has announced a reversal of the downward review of salaries of civil servants for six months occasioned by the COVID-19 In a bid to cushion the effects of the increased prices of petroleum products vis-a-vis hike in electricity tariffs and general inflation in the country.
Chiedu Ebie, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who made the announcement on Friday, said that the governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration had to consider measures to mitigate the negative financial impact of the pandemic due to the effects of the Coronavirus on state revenue sources.
In line with this, governor Okowa has directed the state Accountant-General and Finance Commissioner to restore the salaries of the affected workers on Salary Grade Level 7 to Salary Grade Level 17, which will take effect from 1st September, 2020.
Ebie said; “In view of the recent upward review of pump price of petroleum products and electricity tariffs, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, has directed the immediate restoration of salaries of the affected categories of workers and appointees.
“The State Government commends the understanding exhibited by the Organised Labour and the affected personnel. As we await the full reflation of the country’s economy, Deltans and other residents are implored to continue to lend support to Government’s efforts at confronting the current economic challenge.”
“You will recall that following the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the national economy and the consequent sharp drop in revenues accruing to all tiers of government, the (Delta) State Government, after due consultations with the Organised Labour, carried out a downward review of the salaries of its workforce comprising political appointees and officers on Salary Grade Level 07 and above. The downward review which took effect from July 2020 was intended to last until December, 2020.
The Honourable Commissioner of Finance and the Accountant-General have already been directed to ensure immediate implementation of this directive.”
Earlier, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State chapter disclosed that following a meeting with Okowa, the Delta state government had “agreed that the suspension of the payment of the new minimum wage for levels 7 to 17 be lifted with effect from September 1st, 2020.”
