Delta Govt to Meet NLC on New Minimum Wage Implementation

By Susan Aigue

The Delta State Government is set to interface with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) towards the implementation of the newly approved national minimum wage.

The state commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the end of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Dr. Osuoza also announced that the state executive council approved the rehabilitations of crucial roads across the state, adding that, the purchase of Computerized Temography (CT) Scan machines for the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and the Central Hospital in Warri were also approved.

According to the Commissioner, the talks to be led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, and the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, would revolve round the consequential adjustments of the new wage.

The Commissioner also said the State Exco also approved the payment of N3.55bn as counterpart funding for the 2024 Universal Basic Education Programme in the state. He said Exco also approved the appointment of Obi Sunday Ubaka Ogboli as Obi of Issele-Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

The Information Commissioner disclosed that Exco also approved the reconstruction of Ohoror-Bomadi Road; construction of Olomoro-Igbide Road; construction of Emevor-Ivrogbo-Orogun Road Phase 2; Otekpo Road in Ellu and Idumu-Etiti Street with a spur to market Road, Owere-Olubo.

Others include; the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of failed sections of NNPC Housing Complex Road, Uvwie Local Government Area; Ekeye-Ovedhe close in Okumagba Layout, Warri; General Hospital Road, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area; Old Sapele/ Warri Road from Amukpe Junction to Ikwuehu, with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Sapele Local Government Area, and Orerokpe-Okulohor-Oviri Road; and Osubi- Okuokoko road and environs, Phase 1.

Also approved are internal roads and drains in Kurutie, Obitobon-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu Road Phase 2, Ogidigben; Kurutie internal roads Phase 2; Old Sapele Road to Amukpe to Ikwewu Community with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Amukpe, Okeye and Iyke Oputa Street, Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Issele-Azagba-Otulu road in Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas.

Also speaking during the post-Exco briefing, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the state Exco approved the purchase of two Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning machines, one each for the Central Hospital, Warri, and the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara.

Dr. Onojaeme disclosed that the approval for the purchase of the medical equipment was very significant as it is used for diagnosing diseases and internal injuries in the health care delivery sector, adding that the CT scan is for the benefits of all Deltans.

According to him, the Ministry of Health had got approval to renovate over 150 primary health centres (PHCs) across the state because of its importance in the health care delivery system, saying “if Primary Health care facilities are properly taken care of, more than 80 per cent of health challenges would have been addressed.”

The state executive council also directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and the state Chief Job Creation Officer, to map out measures to cushion some of the effects of the nation-wide hardship especially on the youths.