Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has charged the state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure workers were promoted on time to avoid piling up promotion arrears.

Mr Oborevwori gave the directive on Monday when the judges of the state judiciary, led by the chief judge, Theresa Diai, visited him at the government house in Asaba, the state capital.

He lamented the burden of the promotion arrears inherited by his administration, adding that if the MDAs were prompt at promoting the workers, their benefits and entitlements would have been effected and paid them.

“When people are due for promotion, and you don’t promote them at that time, you are causing problems for the government.

“When I asked for the salary arrears, I was told it was N5.5 billion, and I said I would pay it in four tranches. So far, we have paid two tranches.

“We will conclude the payment in November. I have promised, and I have made the money available,” he said.

He said his administration had approved over N600 million monthly at N10,000 per worker to be paid as palliative for three months in the first instance to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on workers.

The governor also reiterated the need for the judiciary to promptly dispense justice, adding that his administration was committed to realising a truly independent and financially autonomous judiciary.

“When I was the speaker of the State House of Assembly, we passed the bill for financial autonomy of the judiciary and that of the request to increase the service years of the judiciary from 65 to 70 years.

“As a government founded on morality, equity, and justice, we will continue to be supportive of your role in the achievements of a better society for mankind,” Mr Oborevwori said.

He added, “The world is changing rapidly with the advent of technology, and we need judicial officers who are not only technologically savvy but also in tune with the global best practices of their profession.”

Earlier, Ms Diai said the judges came to inform the governor of the commencement of the 2023/2024 legal year.

She said the state judiciary comprised 37 High Court judges, 15 Revenue Court judges, 103 magistrates, and seven Customary Court of Appeal judges, among others.

The chief judge said automation of revenue collection in all courts in the state had been effected and operational.

She, however, called for the establishment of two more juvenile centres in the state, adding that the only one in the state was established in Sapele in 1951.

(NAN)