Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has spoken tough against civil servants in the state who are probably engaged abroad but are still on the state government’s payroll and receiving salary.
Governor Oborevwori stated this on Sunday as part of his remarks during the 70th birth anniversary thanksgiving of the Chairman, Delta State Civil Service Commission, Chief (Mrs) Roseline Amioku, held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
“For those who have left this country and are still receiving salaries, we will no longer pay them because they cannot remain abroad and still be on the payroll. It is very bad; it is an act of wickedness and will not be accepted,” said the governor.
The Trumpet Newspaper gathered that the governor recently, while interacting with heads of Ministerial Departments and Agencies, allegedly frowned at the attitude of some of them who approve and also cover for some staff to relocate abroad mostly in the guise of study leave.
A dependable source who craved anonymity told this medium that a committee has been put in place for this purpose and has since swung into action.
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The Committee, according to the source, has investigated several cases and found some heads of MDAs, Chief Inspectors of Education, and heads of public primary and secondary schools culpable, amongst others.
With the governor putting the workforce at over 80,000 when combined with State and Local Government workers and teachers, among others, some economic experts say the growing trend of civil servants relocating abroad for greener pastures in the guise of study leave and other excuses but still receiving salary will no doubt impact tremendously on the entire monthly wage bill of the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori kept to his word when he also said on Sunday that civil servants in the state will, from today Monday, start receiving the new minimum wage, which he had given directives for prompt payment from October salary.
The Trumpet Newspaper learned that many workers in the state civil service at their respective places of work beamed with smiles and were excited as they received on their phones salary for October reflecting the new minimum wage.
