The Delta State House of Assembly has passed an Executive Bill seeking to give legal backing to the annual payment of 13th-month salary to public servants in the state.
The bill was passed on Tuesday September 15, 2026, after it scaled the Third Reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.
The House had earlier suspended its relevant Standing Orders to facilitate the immediate consideration of the Executive Bill, following a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi.
Speaking after the passage, Guwor described the legislation as a major step towards strengthening workers’ welfare, saying it reaffirmed government’s responsibility to prioritise the wellbeing of the people.
He said the move further demonstrated the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to building a worker-friendly government, adding that the 13th-month salary policy had now been placed on a statutory footing.
Guwor expressed optimism that the measure would improve workers’ morale, productivity and service delivery, while commending Governor Oborevwori for initiating the welfare policy.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges, Hon. Edafe Emakpor, presented the committee’s report on the bill.
Emakpor said the legislation was designed to establish a legal framework for the payment and provide public servants with greater certainty over the annual benefit.
With the passage of the bill, the Assembly said Delta State becomes the first state in Nigeria to establish a statutory framework for the payment of a 13th-month salary to its public servants.
The legislation is expected to strengthen the state’s workers’ welfare package and provide institutional backing for the annual payment.
