-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:

In a bid to actualize the promise made to Delta State workers by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on payment of the new minimum wage, the State Government has fomally constituted a Committee to parley with the Organized Labor on its implementation.

The Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who inaugurated the Committee on behalf of Governor Okowa, said government was passionate about the wellbeing of Public Servants in the State.

He disclosed that the Governor directed that talks with Labour should commence immediately so that a mutually agreeable scheme based on the new minimum wage could be developed for Delta state workers.

The SSG is the Chairman of the Committee, with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Olorogun David Edebvie; the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor, Professor Sylvester Monye; Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije; Chairman Civil Service Commission, Dame Nkem Okwuofu; and Chairman Local Government Bureau for Pensions, Mr. Ben Igo as members.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Jerome Morka, will serve as Secretary of the Committee.

Meanwhile, the inaugural meeting of committee set up by Delta State Executive Council to examine request by labour unions for payment of interest on accrued pensions liabilities took place yesterday Monday November 18, 2019 at the office of the Senior Policy Adviser to the Governor.

According to the statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chiedu Ebie, the committee was expected among other things to examine the merits or otherwise of the request on accrued outstanding pension benefits and advise on the cost implications.