The Delta State House of Assembly has passed an Executive Bill seeking to give legal backing to the annual payment of a 13th-month salary to eligible public servants in the state.
The bill was passed on Tuesday after scaling its third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor.
If enacted into law, the legislation will make the additional annual salary a statutory entitlement for eligible workers, rather than leaving its payment solely to administrative policy.
Before considering the bill, lawmakers suspended the relevant standing orders to facilitate its immediate passage. The motion was moved by the House Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, and subsequently adopted by the House.
Presenting the report of the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges, its Chairman, Edafe Emakpor, said the proposed legislation was designed to establish a legal framework for the payment of the additional salary.
According to him, the law would give workers greater certainty while helping to improve their morale, productivity and general welfare.
The passage followed the Delta State Government’s existing policy of paying public servants an additional salary at the end of the year.
Reacting to the development, Speaker Guwor described the bill as a significant step towards strengthening workers’ welfare in the state.
He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for initiating the policy, saying it recognises the contributions of public servants to the development of Delta State.
Guwor declared that the 13th-month salary “has come to stay,” adding that the initiative could boost workers’ morale, productivity and service delivery.
The Speaker described the Oborevwori administration as worker-friendly and said the legislation would provide stronger institutional support for its welfare initiatives.
Emakpor had earlier maintained that giving the policy legal backing would provide greater certainty for workers and contribute to improved productivity across the public service.
The bill will still have to complete the remaining legislative and assent processes required before it becomes law.
Once enacted, the legislation is expected to provide statutory backing and greater clarity on the continuation of the 13th-month salary for eligible public servants in Delta State.
