The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) today embarked on a peaceful protest to the Presidential Villa and National Assembly.
Led by their leaders, Ayuba Wahab (NLC), and Bobboi Kaigama (TUC), the workers marched through major streets of the Federal Capital Territory chanting anti-government slogans.
At Aso Rock Villa, the labour leaders were received by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while Senate President, Bukola Saraki spoke with them at the National Assembly.
Here are seven important things the labour leaders told Osinbajo and Saraki on Thursday, February 9, 2017.
1. Corrupt government officials should be amputated
“Why should somebody steal one billion naira and walk the street free?," NLC President asked.
"We are demanding that they should be named and shamed. We are also demanding that one of their hands be cut off so that when we see them, we will know that they are people that have stolen our money," he added.
2. Increase in power supply
NLC president said: “We must not allow a situation where few, because of their interest will hold the system to ransom. We are demanding an increase in electricity supply and they are saying pay more tariff. We are demanding an increase in minimum wage and they say they are going to be paying in percentage."
3. Absence of good governance
Wahab said: “Today, with what is happening in our system, we are actually at the receiving end because there is near absence of good governance and corruption is also fighting back very badly and we have been at the receiving end. Instead of addressing those challenges and paying salaries, what the are doing in some states is paying salaries in percentages.
“The height of this challenge is the absence of good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law, any system that does not have those ingredients, the first group that will suffer is the working class and their families and the citizens."
4. Unremitted fund from crude oil sale
He said: “That is why we are matching to canvass for good governance and also to lend our voice to saying that the fight against corruption must continue. If you look at the NEITI report, it states clearly that unremitted fund from the sale of oil and gas amount to another 22 billion dollars.”
5. Payment of salaries and pensions
Wahab said: “Not to pay salaries and pensions is criminal. Today the dollar rate is N500 to one dollar and the salaries of Nigerian workers have remained the same. Not to increase our wages in this condition is corruption and so, we must demand good governance and support the fight against corruption,”
6. Local government allocation
“We appreciate the efforts by the National Assembly to ensure financial autonomy for the local governments and this must be sustained because money meant for the local governments does not get there," said NLC president.
7. Hunger in the land
“Nigerians are hungry, the cost of living is high, no houses, no light and factories have gone comatose," TUC president told Saraki.
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