By Festus Alenkhe

There is perhaps no greater indication that a government is working than when the people who keep the machinery of government running can plan their lives with certainty.

Since November 2024, the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has, according to the policy being implemented, brought greater predictability to the payment of salaries and pensions in Edo State, with workers and pensioners receiving their monthly payments on the 25th of every month.

Promotions for civil servants are also becoming more regular, with preparations for the 2027 promotion exercise already underway.

These may appear to be routine administrative responsibilities, but they mean much more to the average worker and pensioner.

This is not just administration. This is governance that directly affects people’s lives.

What This Means for Edo Families

For years, delayed salaries and pensions were part of the everyday vocabulary of many workers and retirees. Workers were sometimes forced to borrow to meet basic family needs, while pensioners who had devoted decades of their lives to public service faced financial uncertainty.

That uncertainty affected household planning, weakened morale and, in many cases, diminished the sense of dignity that should accompany honest public service.

Today, a predictable payment system offers workers and pensioners a greater sense of security.

Predictability: Knowing when one’s salary or pension will arrive makes it easier to plan for school fees, rent, medical expenses, food and other family responsibilities without the anxiety of an uncertain payday.

Motivation: Regular promotion is also an important part of workforce morale. It gives civil servants the assurance that their years of service, experience and commitment can translate into career advancement. An astute administration understands that a motivated workforce is more likely to deliver quality services to the people.

Dignity for Pensioners: Edo’s pensioners are men and women who devoted significant portions of their lives to building the state. Timely payment of their entitlements should not be regarded as a favour but as a responsibility owed to them after years of service.

The Bigger Picture

The consistency in salary and pension payments, coupled with efforts to address promotion issues, points to the importance of planning, financial discipline and prioritising the welfare of the workforce.

At a time of economic pressure across the country, maintaining a predictable payment system requires commitment and political will.

Governor Okpebholo’s approach demonstrates that civil service reform should not be confined to policy documents and government offices. Its real impact is felt in the homes and communities of workers.

It is about a teacher in Okhuessan being able to plan for the needs of his or her family; a nurse in Auchi being confident about meeting monthly obligations; and an engineer in Benin City knowing that government has made provision for the workforce at the end of the month.

The Charge Ahead

While the administration deserves commendation for these efforts, the greater challenge is sustainability.

The government must continue to strengthen and automate the payment and promotion processes in a way that makes them efficient, transparent and less vulnerable to administrative delays.

It should also continue to train, equip and motivate the workforce so that improved welfare translates into improved productivity and better service delivery.

To Edo workers, the message is clear: reciprocate improved welfare with diligence, integrity, professionalism and commitment to the people.

To Edo pensioners, the expectation is that the peace and dignity associated with timely payment will continue to be sustained after years of dedicated service to the state.

Ultimately, the relationship between government and its workforce is built on mutual responsibility. When government keeps its commitments to workers, workers are better positioned to keep their commitment to the people they serve.

That is the kind of social contract that can strengthen public institutions and move Edo State forward.

A paid worker is a motivated and productive worker. A paid pensioner is a dignified elder. When workers are valued, the entire state benefits.

Edo must sustain the progress.