The Delta State House of Assembly has begun legislative consideration of a bill seeking to make the payment of 13th-month salary a statutory entitlement for workers in the state.
The Delta State Payment of Thirteenth-Month Salary Bill, 2026, scaled second reading during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor.
Debating the bill, lawmakers commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the initiative, saying it would improve workers’ welfare, boost morale and reduce the financial pressure associated with the festive period.
They said the proposed payment would become an entitlement rather than a privilege if the bill is eventually passed and signed into law.
The lawmakers also argued that the legislation could make Delta the first state in Nigeria to have a law backing the payment of a 13th-month salary.
Following the debate, Guwor referred the bill to the House Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges for further scrutiny and directed the committee to report back at the next sitting.
Meanwhile, the Assembly passed two bills seeking to strengthen the administration of justice in the state.
The Delta State High Court Amendment Bill, 2026, was passed after lawmakers backed a proposal to increase the number of High Court judges from 45 to 50, including the Chief Judge.
Leading the debate, the member representing Ndokwa West Constituency, Charles Emetulu, said the increase would help reduce the backlog of cases and ease the workload on judges.
Lawmakers said the amendment would improve access to justice and speed up the determination of cases across the state.
The House also passed the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal Amendment Bill, 2026, increasing the number of judges of the court from nine to 12.
The lawmakers said the move would improve the efficiency and timely administration of customary justice.
At the beginning of the sitting, Emetulu was allowed to act as Leader of the House after the relevant rules were suspended due to the absence of the substantive Leader, Emeka Nwaobi, and Deputy Leader, Festus Okoh.
The Assembly adjourned plenary to Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
