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Tag: NLC

  • NLC blackmailing Benue govt, says Ortom

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has said his state inherited arrears of salary, pensions and gratuities of about N69 billion, which bailout fund and Paris Club refunds have not been able to clear.

    He accused the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the national level of blackmailing his government and inciting workers to embark on strike.

    Ortom, who spoke yesterday at a book launch in Abuja, said his state was paying the highest salary to workers in the country and challenged the leadership of labour to contradict his claim by coming out with superior facts.

    He also challenged labour leaders to take his government to anti-corruption agencies, if they felt he was not fair to workers in the appropriation of the Federal Government bailout fund.

    The governor said the leadership of labour should do a comparative analysis of remuneration of Benue workers with other states, insisting he paid higher than any other state.

    He said his government was open to dialogue, urging anybody with superior programmes to tackle the issue by bringing it to the dialogue table.

    “I believe discussion is still on. We will still talk even though I feel we should not be discussing our problems in the media. I have told them to bring the issues to the table because the government is ready to put the figures on the table for anyone to see.

    “It is part of our transparency and accountability. One thing I can assure you is that we have formed a process of working towards it. It is not enough for the leadership of the labour union to incite the workers to go on strike at the national level and Benue State.

    “For me, it is not the best way of unionism and taking care of workers. Benue State has a peculiar problem. We inherited a debt of N69billion of pension, gratuity and salary.

    “Now, the intervention from the Federal Government called Paris Club or bailout as they call it, even though it is a loan all together cannot clear the N69 billion debt arrears. So, the challenge is still there and everybody knows about it.

    “The figures are on the table for everyone to see. For us, Benue is one of the states in the country paying the highest salary as at today I am talking to you. I challenge you to compare your note.

    “In other states where permanent secretaries are receiving N230,000, we are paying N500,000 because that is what we inherited. We believe in dialogue and discussion and if you have superior programmes that can make things better for Benue people, bring them to the table for discussion.

    “It is not just enough to go and incite people to go on strike to prove that the government is not paying. They should ask what has been the history. I challenge them to do analysis of what has been on ground.

    “The good thing is that none of the anti-corruption agency can indict us for misappropriation of bailout fund because we have been very transparent. That is where we are now,” Ortom said.

     

     

  • Benue worst state in Salary payment – NLC

    Benue worst state in Salary payment – NLC

    • Says workers should take their destinies in their hands

    President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has asked workers in the country to take their destiny in their hands by massively obtaining their voters’ card to be able to vote out state Governors that has refused to pay salaries and allowances of workers.

    Wabba who spoke while on a solidarity visit to workers in Benue state said it was a shame that the state government has refused to pay workers’ salaries, allowances and pension despite collecting the bailout fund and Paris Club refund, describing the Benue situation as the worst case scenario.

    Wabba said the record from Benue state which showed that the state was in arrears of salaries for seven months in ministries and parastatals; eleven months in local governments and teaching institutions, and thirteen months of pension arrears was alarming and a shame as it is the worst record in the country.

    The NLC President condemned in strong terms the refusal of the Benue State Government to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities after collecting bail-out funds and Paris Club refunds, adding that the Congress will no longer fold its hands and watch state government exploit workers and deny them their entitlements.

    He expressed shock and dismay that whereas most other states, relatively speaking, had met salary and pension obligations to workers and pensioners, the Benue State Government had been indifferent and insincere to workers and pensioners.

    He said further that the willful act of the government refusing to pay salaries was illegal (as it violates all known rules of employment), callous, morally reprehensible and a betrayal of the trust of workers and pensioners who had voted the government into office.

    Comrade Wabba said in light of the pains and indescribable suffering brought upon the workers, pensioners and their families, Congress had no hesitation in giving full support to any lawful action including a full strike action, in pursuit of their salaries, pensions and gratuities.

    He urged the workers and pensioners to remain united and not allow government or anyone else to distract them from their set objectives. 

    He told the Benue workers that experience had shown that state governments were not ready to pay salaries and pensions without a fight, adding that it was up to them to do the needful to secure the regular payment of their salaries and pensions.

    As a long-term strategy, he urged the workers and their families to ensure that they obtain voters’ registration cards and to equally vote in mass at elections as part of the process of using their numbers.

    He said most governors cling to the notion that workers do not vote, and that this substantially explains the shabby treatment meted out to them, stressing that workers must rise up and take their destiny is in their hands if they register and vote wisely.

    Comrade Wabba further said NLC could no longer fold its arms while workers in the state are grossly mistreated assured that the national headquarters was ready to offer support to workers in the states to pursue their legitimate demands.

  • NLC names states not utilising bail out fund

    NLC names states not utilising bail out fund

    TEN states have misspent the bail out funds and the Paris Club refund, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said yesterday.

    The NLC made good its threat to “name and shame” states that refused to pay workers or make public the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund they got.

    The congress also warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff, saying it will mobilise its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase when Nigerians were yet to get a good service foe the previous increase, which has been declared illegal by the court.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba, who spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja, said six of the 10 states were in a terrible situation, pointing out that the congress had directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months salaries to declare an industrial action.

    While reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s disappointment with the governors over the utilisation of the funds, Wabba had told The Nation that the congress was compiling a list of governors who failed to spend the funds on workers’ salaries.

    Wabba said: “Out of the 36 states, we have 10 bad case scenario and out of this 10, we have six terrible ones. We have promised to name and shame them. Those states include Imo that has been paying workers salaries in percentage and has not declared utilisation of the bail out fund and Paris Club refund. It is part of the states that ICPC has mentioned in fund diversion.

    “They paid 40 percent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law. We have Bayelsa, which has between five to 10 months arrears. Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi, which is the worst case scenario.

    “We have three categories of workers in Kogi. We have 40 per cent that are being paid up to date, we have 25 per cent that has not been paid between eight and 16 months and another 25 per cent that has not been paid between eight and 21 months. In all, the sectors, they have categorised the workers into three categories.

    “We also have the case of Osun which is also paying in percentage, but is up to date. Ebonyi, unilaterally, without discussion with the union tried to reduce the salaries by certain percentage and have also not made available records of utilisation of the Paris Club refund.

    “We have the case of Zamfara, which is the only state that has not implemented the minimum wage and all attempt (including agreements they have signed) to get them to make available records of utilisation of those funds have failed. The last one is, Abia which has a problem with the parastatals. On the average, other states are above board.

    The NLC chief went on: “As I speak to you, both Zamfara and Benue are on strike and I am aware that Kogi has issued a notice, which is in conformity with the decision we took at our last NEC meeting that any state with liability of more than three months should start an action and we will be there to support them.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power that one of the problem in the power sector was low electricity tariff, Wabba said workers will not accept any further increase in tariff.

    He said: “A few days ago, I received a letter from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission informing us that they want to hold town hall meetings where they want consumers and other stakeholder to contribute. What immediately came to my mind is an attempt again to increase tariff when we have not been able to get out of the one they illegally increased by 45 percent.

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 percent increase, but now, they are coming again. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again.

    “We have gone to court to challenge their action and the court made pronouncement that the process they followed to effect the last increase was illegal and, therefore, set it aside. Here we are; even to respect that court order has become a problem. We must continue to respect the rule of law. We are still on that issue because no court of law has set aside that judgement.

    “Let us warn those people again because, for them, they must continue to feast on us. If this happens, it means more industries will close and it also means more darkness because the more they increase the tariff, the more darkness we have and more burden on the Nigerian worker. Therefore, we must situate our policies within the context of how it can improve the life of ordinary Nigerian.”

    Speaking on the economic challenge facing the nation, Wabba said: “There is no doubt that our country is passing through very difficult challenges and I think those challenges are to strengthen us, give us hope and make us to think more and be able to respond to issues that affect us. Economies do bubble and burst. Therefore we must not be lamenting that we are in recession or getting out of recession.

    “What matters is how do we put food on the table of the ordinary Nigerian; how do we drive our processes to ensure that industries are working? Once industries don’t work and we don’t produce, but continue to import, the situation will continue because there will always be crave for foreign exchange for us to import and because we don’t export anything, that issue will continue.

    “Our focus must be that our economic model is anchored around the people and around the issues of social justice. Once we don’t do that, then the problem will continue. That is why we have continuously engage the process, including options that are going to work.

    “For instance, the issue of taxation. It is only workers today that pay the correct tax while those that have more than enough, including those with stolen funds, don’t pay tax. Why should you continue to overburden the worker that is already paying the correct tax with more taxation?

    “If I am paying correct tax through pay as you earn, if means that I am paying correct tax and to introduce more tax means double jeopardy. If we are able to access the stamp duty alone, we will be able to generate over two trillion naira per annum. These are issues that we need to address. You cannot continue to rob the poor to make sure that the rich continue to live large.”

    Earlier in his address, NASU National President Comrade Chris Ani said the agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through, adding that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties.

    Ani said what workers needed at this point was time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal.

    Congratulating the government and its officials for bringing the economy out of recession, Ani said the union will only join the celebration when workers’ “welfare improves; jobs are secured; salaries are paid in full as and when due; wage increase is de-frozen and other withheld benefits are paid”.

  • NLC names states not utilizing bail out funds

    NLC names states not utilizing bail out funds

    • Promise to resist any hike in tariff

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday made good its threat to name and shame states that have refused to pay the complete salaries of workers or make public the utilization of both the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund, saying ten out of the thirty-six states are particularly guilty of the offence.

    The Congress also warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff, saying it will mobilize its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase when Nigerians were yet to get quit service for the previous increase which has been declared illegal by the court.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja said six of the ten states were in terrible situation, pointing out that the Congress has directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months salaries arrears to declare an industrial action.

    While reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s disappointment with the governors over the utilization of the funds made available to them, Wabba had told The Nation exclusively that the Congress was compiling a list of state governors that has failed to utilize the bailout fund and the Paris club refund for the purpose it was meant for.

    Wabba said: “Out of the 36 states, we have ten bad case scenario and out of this ten, we have six terrible ones. We have promised to name and shame them. Those states include Imo that has been paying workers salaries in percentage and has not declared utilization of the bailout fund and Paris club refund. It is part of the states that ICPC has mentioned in fund diversion.

    “They paid 40 percent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law. We have Bayelsa which has between five to ten months arrears, Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti, (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi which is the worst case scenario. 

    “We have three categories of workers in Kogi. We have 40 percent that is being paid up to date, we have 25 percent that has not been paid between eight and sixteen months and another 25 percent that has not been paid between eight and twenty-one months. In all the sectors, they have categorized the workers into three categories. 

    “We also have the case of Osun which is also paying in percentage but are up to date. Ebonyi unilaterally, without discussion with the union tried to reduce the salaries by a certain percentage and have also not made available records of utilization of the Paris club refund. 

    “We have the case of Zamfara which is the only state that has not implemented the minimum wage and all attempt, (including agreements they have signed) to get them to make available records utilization of those funds have failed. The last one is Abia which has a problem with the parastatals. On the average, other states are above Board. 

    “As I speak to you, both Zamfara and Benue are on strike and I am aware that Kogi has issued notice which is in conformity with the decision we took at our last NEC meeting that any state with liability of more than three months should start an action and we will be there to support them.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power that one of the problems in the power sector was low electricity tariff, Wabba said Nigerian workers will not accept any further increase in electricity tariff as it will mobilize to resist it.

    He said: “A few days ago, I received a letter from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission informing us that they want to hold town hall meetings where they want consumers and other stakeholders to contribute. What immediately came to my mind is an attempt again to increase tariff when we have not been able to get out of the one they illegally increased by 45 percent. 

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 percent increase, but now, they are coming again. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an Organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again. 

    “We have gone to court to challenge their action and the court mad a pronouncement that the process they followed to effect the last increase was illegal and therefore set it aside. Here we are. Even to respect that court order has become a problem. We must continue to respect the rule of law. We are still on that issue because no court of law has set aside that judgement. 

    “Let us warn those people again because, for them, they must continue to feast on us. If this happens, it means more industries will close and it also means more darkness because the more they increase the tariff, the more darkness we have and more burden on the Nigerian worker. Therefore, we must situate our policies within the context of how it can improve the lives of ordinary Nigerian.”

    Speaking of the current economic challenge facing the nation, he said “there is no doubt that our country is passing through very difficult challenge and I think those challenges are to strengthen us, give us hope and make us to think more and be able to respond to issues that affect us. Economies do bubble and burst. Therefore we must not be lamenting that we are in recession or getting out of recession. 

    “What matters is how do we put food on the table of the ordinary Nigerian; how do we drive our processes to ensure that industries are working? Once industries don’t work and we don’t produce but continue to import, the situation will continue because there will always crave for foreign exchange for us to import and because we don’t export anything, that issue will continue. 

    “Our focus must be that our economic model is anchored around the people and around the issues of social justice. Once we don’t do that, then the problem will continue. That is why we have continuously engaged the process including options that are going to work. 

    “For instance, the issue of taxation. It is only workers today that pays the correct tax while those that have more than enough, including those with stolen funds don’t pay tax. Why should you continue to overburden the worker that is already paying the correct tax with more taxation. 

    “If I am paying correct tax through pay as you earn if means that I am paying correct tax and to introduce more tax means double jeopardy. If we are able to access the stamp duty alone, we will be able to generate over two trillion Naira per annum. These are issues that we need to address. You cannot continue to rob the poor to make sure that the rich continue to live largely.”

    Earlier in his address, National President of NASU, Comrade Chris Ani said the current agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through, adding that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties. 

    Ani said what Nigeria workers need at this point in time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal at the moment.

    While congratulating the Government and its relevant officials for bringing the country out of recession, Ani said the union will only join them in the celebration, when workers’ welfare improves; jobs are secured; salaries are paid in full as and when due; wage increase is de-frozen and other withheld benefits are paid.

  • NLC, TUC to workers: ignore strike call by ULC

    NLC, TUC to workers: ignore strike call by ULC

    The Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday, accused the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL) led by Joe Ajaero of blackmailing the Federal Government into setting aside legal requirements to register them, and declare that only registered trade union and federations have the legal right to declare a strike.

    The NLC and the TUC said at a joint news conference in Abuja that while the United Labour Congress which is yet to be registered has no legitimate right to call for a general strike, only the various unions have the right to call for a strike, adding that at the moment, none of the existing unions who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC have  declared any strike.

    Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the labour law of the country. He pointed out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.

    Wabba described the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they had also “resorted to blackmail with the ultimate goal of using it as a  weapon to obtain registration.  We feel constrained to making the following comments on the unfolding situation.

    “Despite listing 12 demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12.

    “We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of trade unions and trade union centres.

    “Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres in the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.”

    He said the promoters of the ULC have just collected forms for the registration of dozen of “shell trade unions or trade unions without membership”, adding that rather than wait to get registered, they just proclaimed their existence, perhaps because they know very well that by the extant laws-the Trade Union Act, and the Trade Union Amendment Act, there was no way they could get recognition and registration for the dozen or so “shell unions”.

    “These mushroom unions were carried out of existing industrial unions. However, the Trade Unions Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3 (2) provided that: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place, where there already exists a trade union.

    “These fake unions had not been registered, and would not be registered since all the areas have effective union coverage presently that are affiliates of the NLC and TUC.

    “We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less unions.

    “In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): “It is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions”.

    “The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”

    On his part, TUC President, Bobboi Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation are very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning. Under this section, a federation of trade unions shall not come into existence until it is registered.

    He said: “Our erstwhile colleagues are therefore trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism.

    “Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.

    “We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom unions they put forward. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.

    “We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”

  • Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Strike notice: ULC is blackmailing FG to get registration – NLC, TUC

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Friday accused the yet to be registered United Labour Congress (UCL) led by Joe Ajaero of blackmailing government into setting aside legal requirements to register them, and declare that only registered trade union and federations has the legal right to declare a strike.

    The NLC and the TUC said at a joint news conference in Abuja that the while the United Labour Congress which is yet to be registered has no legitimate right to call for a general strike, only the various unions have the right to call for a strike, adding that at the moment, none of the existing unions who are believed to be affiliates of the ULC have not declared any strike.

    Presidents of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and TUC, Bobboi Kaigama asked workers to disregard the strike called by the ULC saying it violates the Labour of the country, pointing out that the real intention of the promoters of the ULC was to compel government to register them as the Federation of Trade Unions.

    Wabba describe the ULC ultimatum as a mere attention seeking gimmick, adding that they have also resorted to an exercise intent on blackmail with the ultimate goal of using this weapon to obtain registration, we feel constrained to making the following comments on the unfolding situation.

    He said “despite listing twelve (12) demands in their 11th September press statement, we have no doubt that those behind the ultimatum were only hoping to blackmail the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to register their association as a central labour organisation, as they stated in their demand numbers 9-12..

    “We have no doubt the officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour would deal with the situation as the laws of the country governing labour relations are very clear on the procedure guiding registrations of Trade Unions and trade union centres.

    “Against the background of persistent mischief and dragging the names of our two centres to the mud by the promoters of the United Labour Congress, it has become pertinent to once again recall the events leading to their current desperation.”

    He said the promoters of the ULC have just collected forms for the registration of dozens of “shell trade unions or trade unions without membership”, adding that rather than wait to get registration, they just proclaimed their existence, perhaps because they know very well that by the extant laws-the Trade Union Act, and the Trade Union Amendment Act, there was no way they could get recognition and registration for the dozen or so “Shell Unions”.

    “These mushroom Unions were carried out of existing industrial unions. However, the Trade Unions Act CAP T14, LFN, 2004, Section 3 (2) provided that: “But no trade union shall be registered to represent workers or employers in a place, where there already exists a trade union”.

    “These fake Unions had not being registered, and would not be registered since all the areas have effective Union coverage presently that are affiliates of the NLC and TUC.

    “We had pointed out in our January 18th, 2017 letter to the Honourable Minister of the dangers posed by the activities of these erstwhile colleagues of ours, who rather than accept the decision of Nigerian workers to reject their leadership, are bent on creating anarchy in the industrial relations system in the country, by trying to register these mushroom and member-less Unions.

    “In the same letter, we had drawn attention to the fact that under the 2005 amendment to the section 34 of the Principal Act, it was clearly stated that a (new) federation of trade union(s) may be registered if (a) I (b): “it is made up of 12 or more trade unions, none of which shall have been a member of another registered federation of trade unions”.

    “The main promoters of the so-called new federation are individuals from NUEE and NUPENG both are affiliates of the NLC. By the extant law as passed just some years ago, they cannot form another federation.”

    On his part, TUC President, Kaigama said the Labour laws of the federation is very clear that un-registered trade unions and federation(s) are prohibited from functioning. Under this section, a federation of trade unions shall not come into existence until it is registered.

    He said “Our erstwhile colleagues are therefore trying to take advantage of the unstable security and industrial relation situation in the country to increase the tension and give bad name to trade unionism. 

    “Nigerians need to know that they are not a legitimate organisation recognised by the laws of our country. They are largely a collection of individuals who find it difficult to accept the will of Nigerian workers, as very clearly demonstrated during the March 12-13 2015 election that took place at the Eagle Square, Abuja in which they were roundly defeated.

    “We wish to state without equivocation that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has acted within the confines of the law by not registering ULC and the phantom Unions they put forward.. No unregistered organisations or individuals can hold our dear country to ransom.

    “We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour and workers to discountenance the threats of this illegal association. The ministry must be steadfast in upholding the laws governing trade union practice in the country.”

  • Buhari: Address threats to national sovereignty now – NLC

    Buhari: Address threats to national sovereignty now – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Friday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to take immediate steps to address issues that are beginning to threaten the nation’s existence in the collective interest and unity of the country.

    The congress also said that those threatening the nation’s integrity, nationhood and sovereignty should be apprehended and tried in accordance with extant national laws and international conventions without taking any further steps that will create another mayhem like is currently being experienced in the north east.

    It also asked the military high command to retrain its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges under a constitutional governance, saying the military must desist from doing anything that provokes situations that ultimately strengthen the cause, capacities and popularity of the advocates of disunity and inter-ethnic strife in the country.

    Reacting to current security situation across the country which has heightened tension across the country, leading to curfew in some major cities, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said the unity of Nigeria has been the collective strength of the people, stressing that no part of the country can develop without the other, even on the terms and principles of the subsisting world socio economic order.

    Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the recent attack on Journalists performing their legitimate duties in Umuahia by armed military personnel was unacceptable and highly provocative, adding that although the Nigeria Army has issued a public statement to apologise to the NUJ and the affected journalists while promising to investigate the incident and ultimately discipline the military personnel involved, we advise that the military high command should re-train its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges in a country under constitutional governance.

    The statement reads: “We have watched with absolute concern, the ongoing skirmishes in some parts of the country where there have been growing trends of agitations that are now clearly leading to inter-ethnic attacks in both physical and verbal terms resulting in the deployment of military and other security personnel and curfews in two major cities in Abia and Plateau states.

    “For us, as a pan Nigerian organisation, we have always emphasised the need for peace as a very important item on the table of anyone, organisation or individual interested in the development of the entire country or any part of the country because whatever has led to underdevelopment or decelerated our collective development as a country or community or region could be anything but ethnic revulsion.

    “As far as we are concerned, our country’s state of underdevelopment has been occasioned by lack of good governance for which several past governments can be held responsible. No part of the country has deliberately been underdeveloped by any government based on ethnic hatred or anti region dispositions.

    “Indeed, as it is clear, most problems in the states are caused mainly by the attitude of the various state governments who receive allocations for infrastructural development of communities in the states and payment of salaries but chose to divert such allocations to other uses or embezzle such funds with impunity. 

    “There can be no other threat to the lives of the citizens than when workers are denied access to food and qualitative life through non-payment of salaries for months. Those driving the causes that has led to the prevailing challenges are yet to confront their state governors on this.

    “We have had several quarterly national dialogues as a labour centre and a major stakeholder on the promotion of peace, security and national development of our country; and have concluded that the challenges we have that has now become references for the advancement of ethnic or regional agitations directed towards disunity and promotion of inter-ethnic discord, including violent attacks and threats is the absence of productive employment, depleting industrial growth, near collapse of major infrastructures among others. 

    “And every part of the country suffer these and the impact do not differ in regional or ethnic terms. It is therefore unfortunate that some individuals across the country has chosen to use these collective deprivations to advance causes that indeed counter their aspiration for development.

    “The unity of Nigeria has been our collective strength as a people and no part of Nigeria can develop without the other, even on the terms and principles of the subsisting world socio economic order.

    “While we applaud the Federal Government for the steps taken so far by security agencies to secure lives and properties of all Nigerians in all parts of the country, it is important that the agencies, including the military should not act in any manners that provokes situations that ultimately strengthen the cause, capacities and popularity of the advocates of disunity and inter-ethnic strife.

    “It is unaccepted that journalists carrying out their legitimate functions can be so dastardly attacked as has been reported of the incident in Umuahia during a security operation by the Nigeria Army. 

    “It is the duty of journalists to report, including taking pictures, audio and video recording of incidents anywhere in the country as part of their professional calling. The attacks on them, especially at the secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Umuahia is not only unacceptable, but unnecessarily provocative. 

    “Although the Nigeria Army has issued a public statement to apologise to the NUJ and the affected journalists while promising to investigate the incident and ultimately discipline the military personnel involved, we advise that the military high command should re-train its officers and men on contemporary ways of handling security challenges in a country under constitutional governance.

    “We also advice the federal government to handle the ongoing agitations, which is fast developing into unimaginable inter-ethnic violence that is spreading to some parts of the country as has been reported of Jos in Plateau state, Port Harcourt in River State, Aba and Umuahia in Abia State with utmost dexterity in the interest of peace, unity and collective interest of the entire country and her citizens.

    “The governors as chief security officers of their states must be made to take responsibilities for the growing security challenges that ultimately threatens our collective interests and unity as Nigerians.

    “Our governments, and indeed none of us as individual or corporate citizens should allow the current situation degenerate any further. Culprits of threats to our national integrity, nationhood and sovereignty must be apprehended and tried in accordance with extant national laws and international conventions without taking any further steps that will create another mayhem as we have been contending with in the north east.”

  • N760.17b refund: NLC to name indicted governors

    N760.17b refund: NLC to name indicted governors

    • Labour laments 5% payment to consultants

    WORKERS are angry with governors who blew their state’s share of the N760.17 billion Paris Club loan refund.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment on how states failed to pay salaries despite the huge cash injection has provoked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).  It is threatening to “name and shame” governors who failed to spend the refund on salaries and pension.

    Besides,  the President should demand that the governors account for the money before any further release is made to them, the NLC said yesterday.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that despite their promises to pay workers’ salaries and pension, the governors refused to live by their word.

    He said that some of the governors had even refused to disclose how much they received and how it was spent.

    Wabba accused the Chairman of the Governors Forum, Zamfara State Governor Abdulazeez Yari, who made a commitment on behalf of his colleagues of not spending the money judiciously.

    He said the President was reacting to its letter asking him not to approve the release of the third and last tranche of the fund to the governors until they account for what they have received.

    Wabba said: “It is our letter he was reacting to. At our CWC meeting, we called on him not to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund  to the states because the governors have not kept their word.

    “You remember that Chairman of the Governors Forum alluded to the fact that they are committed to using the money to address the liability of pension and salaries. Unfortunately, the Chairman of the Governors Forum has not lived up to those words.

    “As you are aware, our workers in Zamfara have shut down the state. He himself who made the pronouncement could not honour the words that he pronounced on behalf of his colleagues. That is to show the level of deceit that is actually in the system and that is why we decided to write to the President to ensure that there is a level of accountability to show that he is actually on the same page with the governors.

    “Before the second tranche was released, they made commitments and used the payment of workers salaries and pensions as a bait to get the President to approve and get the money across to them. But immediately they got the money, majority of them diverted the money. Right now, we have a standard data as to what the situation is in all states of the Federation.

    “Let me make the point that some has actually judiciously untilised their own, but some states… have refused to make available how much they received.”

    Wabba recalled that at the Kogi State House of Assembly, a member raised a motion to demand accountability on the Paris Club refund “and that resulted in the chaos we witnessed in the Assembly. That member had his head broken and the Speaker removed. That is the level of decay that is prevailing in some of those states.

    “It means that Mr President is in touch with the real issues that is happening in every state. The fact that he is aware that some of the governors have not utilised the money in the direction that he appealed to them means that he is aware of what is happening.”

    The NLC chief spoke also on the use of consultants to get the refund.

    He said: “We learnt that about 5 per cent was deducted from source and used for the payment of consultants which eventually ended up in people’s pockets. We are also aware of those who diverted the money to build hotels and pay mortgages. It is really a bad situation.

    “If we must fight corruption, those issues are issues that we must follow up and fight to their logical conclusion.

    “In some of the states, our members used the Freedom of Information Act to demand how these money was utilised, but there has been no responses and I think that is most unfortunate. We have records of those states. We have also promised that we are going to name and shame those states that have not adequately utilized the bailout.

    “We are working on the data and once they are ready, we will make them, available and we are going to engage states that have not transparently utilised the bailout fund for the purpose that it was meant for and for the benefit of their people. That is where we are now… that is why the situation of workers have not improved.

    “ Let me emphasied that some states have done extremely well and we are going to point this out very clearly.”

     

  • NLC to name, shame Govs not using Paris Club refund well

    NLC to name, shame Govs not using Paris Club refund well

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said on Tuesday that it was prepared name and shame state governors who failed to utilize the Paris Club refund for the purpose it was meant for, insisting that the President demand the state governors to account for the money before any further release is made to them.

    Reacting to a statement by President Muhammadu Buhari accusing the governor of misdirecting the Paris Club refund, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that despite their promises to use the money to pay workers salaries and pension, the governors have refused to live by their words.

    He said that some of the state governors have even refused to disclose how much they received and how it was utilized, pointing out that the Chairman of the Governors Forum who made a commitment on behalf of his colleague has, himself not utilize the money judiciously.

    Wabba said the President was actually reacting to its letter asking him not to approve the release of the third and last tranche of the fund to the governors until they account for what they have received. 

    He said: “It is our letter he was reacting to. At our CWC meeting, we called on him not to release the last tranche of the Paris Club refund  to the states because the governors have not kept their word. 

    “You remember that Chairman of the Governors Forum alluded to the fact that they are committed to using the money to address the issue of liability of pension and salaries. Unfortunately, the Chairman of the Governors Forum has not lived up to those words. 

    “As you are aware, our workers in Zamfara have shut down the state. He himself that ,are the pronouncement could not honoured the words that he pronounced on behalf of his colleagues. That is to show the level of deceit that is actually in the system and that is why we decided to write to the President to ensure that, there is a level of accountability to show that he is actually on the same page with the governors. 

    “Before the second tranche was released, they made commitments and used the payment of workers salaries and pensions as a bait to get the President to approve and get the money across to them. But immediately they got the money, majority of them diverted the money. Right now, we have a standard data as to what the situation is in all states of the Federation.

    “Let me make the point that some has actually judiciously untilise their own, but states like Ekiti, Kogi, Benue, Zamafara among is even refused to make available how. Ugh they received. 

    “You remember what happened at the Kogi state House of Assembly where a member raised a motion to demand accountability on the issue of the Paris Club refund and that resulted in the chaos we witnessed in the Assembly. That member had his head broken and the Speaker removed. That is the level of decay that is prevailing in some of those states.

    “It means that Mr President is in touch with the real issues that is happening in every state. The fact that he is aware that some of the governors have not utilized the money in the direction that he appealed to them means that he is aware of what is happening.

    “So, I think that going forward, we must demand for accountability. We are also aware that a lot of information is already in the public domain where a lot of them resorted to the use of consultants. 

    “We learnt that about 5 percent was deducted from source and used for the payment of consultants which eventually ended up in peoples pocket. We are also aware of those that diverted the money to build hotels and pay mortgages. It is really a bad situation. 

    “If we must fight corruption, those issues are issues that we must follow up and fight the, to their logical conclusion. Having made that pronouncement, I think k he should be commended, but we must also demand accountability from these people.

    “In some of the states, our members used the freedom of information act to demand how these money were utilized, but there has been no responses and I think that is most unfortunate. We have records of those states. We have also promised that we are going to name and shame those states that has not adequately utilized the bail out. 

    “We are working on the data and once they are ready, we will make the, available and we are going to engage states that has not transparently utilized the bail out fund for the purpose that it was meant for and for the benefit of their people. That is where we are now and it is not a good situation at all and that is why the situation of workers have not improved. 

    “Despite the fact that some efforts have gone in, the situation of workers have not I proved because there has been no transparency in some states in the utilization of those funds. Let me emphasized that some states have done extremely well and we are going to point this out very clearly.”

  • NLC kicks against proposed N38b bailout for DisCos

    NLC kicks against proposed N38b bailout for DisCos

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to offer N38billion bailout to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for the procurement of pre-paid metres, describing the move as ill-conceived.

    Speaking with The Nation, its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said it was wrong for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to offer a lifeline to the DisCos when there were no signs of improvement in the power sector, despite that the government had pumped N660 billion into it.

    He said rather than commit more funds to the DisCos, the Federal Government should undertake a holistic review of the privatisation of the power sector undertaken by the last administration.

    Wabba wondered why the Federal Government would consider committing N38 billion of public funds as bailout to the DisCos.

    He said the problem of the power sector had nothing to do with the lack of resources as the government had committed N11 trillion to the sector reforms without achieving the objective of providing stable power supply in the country.

    Wabba said the major issues affecting the country were accountability, transparency and others relating to governance.

    The NLC boss decried the situation whereby Ethiopia, which spent $10 billion to build its power plants, was exporting power to neighbouring countries whereas, Nigeria which had spent more than that had nothing to show for it with nobody being arrested for waste of public resources.

    He said: “One of the things affecting our country today is the issue of accountability. Every other issue can directly or indirectly be linked with the issue of good governance. The state level is even worst and that is our challenge.

    “Take, for instance, in the power sector, I was really amazed when, yesterday , I was going through some of the issues we need to campaign on and I realised that the present government has already committed about N660billion in form of intervention to a sector that is already comatose without corresponding inputs and attendances. Even on the issue of metering, they are proposing to give a bailout to the DisCos.

    “It is obvious that we are going in the wrong direction. It has been made clear that it is not about resources. If in about 16 years, we have so far committed about N11 trillion to the power sector reforms and yet, what we have day in day out is numerous challenges of lack of power. Even within the city of Abuja, the DisCos are busy disconnecting street lights.

    “The real issue here is actually the issue of good governance, transparency and accountability. We saw the example of Ethiopia. With less than $10 billion, they have built a power plant that is now generating power and even selling to neigbouring countries.

    “But in the context of Nigeria trillions of naira has been committed and nobody is asking questions and we are still committing public resources.”

    The NLC chief said if the electricity firms lacked the capacity to deliver, the process should be reversed noting that it would not be too late to do so.

    He said it was regrettable that while South Africa was already looking beyond 40,000 megawatts (Mw), Nigerian was oscillating between 5000Mw and 6000Mw.