Why LG staff are owed salaries —Okowa

DELTA State governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has said salaries owed local government workers was attributable to their unique salary structure and large number of staff.

According to Governor Okowa, it was only in Delta State that some local government councils have the same salary structure with the state and the federal government.

The governor, who expressed sadness that staff of the third tier of government were suffering in the state as a result of salary arrears, noted that apart from the salary structure, some local government councils have more than 700 persons as their staff strength.

He spoke on Sunday, at Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state, during electoral victory celebration cum empowerment programme of the member representing the area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable Emeka Nwaobi.

While assuring that his administration would not encourage the sack of workers because of the recession ravaging the country, Governor Okowa disclosed that the councils have adopted an approach, where only verified staff and “those who  come to work are paid.”

He also used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to equitable distribution of projects in the state, asserting, “We are doing a lot across the state and Deltas’ in Central, South and North know that I am not discriminating.

“Despite the tough time, we are doing a lot, because God has given us the wisdom to utilise what we have to the benefits of our people, I am confident that our revenue will improve in 2017 and we will increase the tempo of what we are doing in the state,” the governor said.

He congratulated Hon Nwaobi, for the affirmation of his victory at the polls by different courts of the land, noting dedicating such victories to God was important, because, political offices were to render service to God and humanity.

“We must be constantly reminded that we were chosen to serve for a reason; the real thanksgiving is to render selfless service as mankind and to the serve God,” the governor said.

The Senator representing Delta North, Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, among others who spoke at the occasion, thanked God for the ingenuity of Governor Okowa, for the effective management of the resources of the state, to the benefits of Delta’s.

Delivering a sermon at the Thanksgiving Mass, held at St Paul’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Issele-Uku, Reverend Fr Andrew Nwulo, urged Christians, especially political office holders to be charitable, forgiving and peaceful, while Hon Nwaobi thanked Governor Okowa for the developmental projects going on in his constituency.