BY our Reporter .
- MINIMUM WAGE: DELTA PDP HAILS OBOREVWORI,DENOUNCES APC’S “HYPOCRISY” .
The People’s Democratic Party ,PDP, Delta state chapter has described the state governor,Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as “a pride to Deltans and labour friendly administrator with the best interest of the populace at heart”,
following his approval of N75,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
Delta PDP however descended heavily on the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress,APC, for what it described as” ill-informed and thoughtless invectives against the good intentions of the Oborevwori administration”.
A statement by the State Publicity Secretary,Olorogun Dr.Ebenezer Okorodudu,said it was heart -warming that Governor Oborevwori gave consent for the state government to begin payment of the new minimum wage with effect from October 2024.
Excerpts of the statement by the state PDP leadership reads:
“The leadership of the Delta state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, happily recalls that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, Wednesday announced the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage,during a meeting with the Organized Labour in the state , comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).
“We particularly note that Governor Oborevwori ‘s prompt approval is coming immediately after the receipt of the minimum wage chart by the state government from the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission.
“His Excellency,Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori has demonstrated leadership, foresight and compassion, responding to the material well being of workers in the state,especially at this precarious period of nation-wide hardship,exacerbated by the harsh ,woeful and rudderless economic policies of the APC-led government at the centre.
“ This explains why we found it highly despicable and grossly irresponsible that the state APC could shamelessly make light of the charitable ,altruistic intervention of the Oborevwori administration in uplifting the living conditions of Delta workers,oppressed by an unfeeling Federal government of APC.
“ It is appalling that Delta APC Publicity Secretary ,Mr. Valentine Onojeghuo had the imprudence to gabble in a phone interview that the minimum wage approved by the state “falls far short of addressing the escalating cost of living” among the generality of the people.
“ Even a kindergarten can easily tell that the APC -led government plunged Nigerians into the prevailing hardship,
unimaginable in history .How hollow and hypocritical, for the APC spokesperson to have rambled that “rampant inflation has continuously driven up the prices of basic goods and services,making it difficult for workers to meet their basic needs” in the state.
“Deltans are too wise to be hoodwinked by the crocodile tears of the state APC. The least expected of the party as mastermind of the citizens’ socio -economic woes was to have kept mute or tender apology to a starving nation “
Taking more swipes at the APC ,Delta PDP in its statement dismissed the complaints of the party as “meaningless posturing of a clueless political contraption,notorious for blame game and incompetence”
Governor Oborevwori according to the state PDP deserves honour and applause for his speedy approval of the minimum wage even while on vacation.
“The state PDP leadership congratulates all workers in the state public service for this remarkable milestone and urged them to rededicate their individual and collective efforts in ensuring a virile and productive work force, necessary for the progress of the state.
“ It is common knowledge that Delta has one of the highest populations of workers among the 36 states in Nigeria,with over 50,000,employees.That the Oborevwori administration found it worthwhile to pay a minimum wage as high as N75,000 stands lofty.
“We wish to put it on record that the governor has shown untrammeled interest and passion in meeting the welfare of workers and indeed Deltans since his assumption of office.
“Deltans can vividly remember that in 2023 ,governor Oborevwori approved and released the sum of five billion Naira for the payment of promotion arears of civil servants in the state.
“At the 4th disbursement of the Delta State Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme, held at Event centre Asaba the governor empowered 97,365 new beneficiaries, bringing the total number of participants in the D-CARES scheme to over 208,000.
“Barely a month ago, the governor released N1billion to aid 2,000 farmers in food production as well as livestock and aquaculture,all dedicated to cushion the sufferings of the people.
“The Oborevwori administration had earlier approved the release of #40 billion Naira for payment of local government pensioners,even at a time the state government endorsed the employement of about 2,000 workers at the council level.
” These numerous social and empowerment initiatives clearly underscored the unwavering dedication of Governor Oborevwori to his policy thrust- MORE Agenda which focuses on meaningful development , inclusiveness for all and socio -economic advancement of the state.
“We must emphasise that these worthy efforts to improve the living standards of the people,are in addition to the outstanding accomplishments of the governor in the provision of vital social infrastructure in the three senatorial districts of Delta.
“Contrary to empty propaganda by idle political detractors, the impact of Oborevwori’s development vision is vivid with significant projects in Asaba ,Warri as well as other major cities and villages across the state.
“Governor Oborevwori has steadily built a reputation of honest,humane leadership through due diligence and fidelity to his words.
“The Delta state PDP urged all well meaning inhabitants of the state to continue to support Governor Oborevwori in his avowed commitment to entrench sustainable development in our dear state” Okorodudu stated.