President Goodluck Jonathan
•Rallies held amidst tight security
•NLC backs amnesty for Boko Haram
Our Correspondents
Organised labour in the country has been charged to put its house in order by ridding its ranks of members who are involved in deals adjudged to be corrupt and erodes the federal government’s effort to checkmate graft.
President Goodluck Jonathan made the appeal yesterday at the centenary Workers’ Day celebrations at the Eagle Square, Abuja, in reaction to charges of corruption levelled against the government by leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Abdul-Waheed Omar and Peter Esele respectively.
This is just as Workers’ Day rallies were held in several states of the federation amid tight security, with calls by the labour unions that the federal government should not relent in its efforts to improve the security situation in northern Nigeria by forging ahead in its bid to offer amnesty to members of Boko Haram.
At the Workers’ Day rally in Abuja, the president reiterated that the government’s transformation agenda was on course and working as a fundamental goal “geared towards placing the country on the path of sustainable progress where everyone can better achieve his or her dream.”
He reminded the unions that some of those alleged to have embezzled pension funds, engaged in the petroleum subsidy scamand other underhand deals, and have been arraigned in courts, are members of organised labour, which constantly prevail on government to tackle the problem.
“Given that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater attention to peer review action on the part of labour will be much more appreciated,” Jonathan remarked.
He noted that: “Labour has been in the forefront of the demand for good governance and increased action against corruption, and these issues are being vigorously tackled from various fronts.
“Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising from the petroleum subsidy fraud, embezzlement of pension funds and other serious long-standing malpractices demystified by this administration.”
According to the president, who outlined the efforts his administration was making to address various problems in the country, “the transformation agenda is on course with a clear vision to tailor budgetary expenditure in favour of capital spending thus resulting in a drop in the rate of inflation.
“As a result of our economic policies, there has been a significant improvement in our economic fundamentals. Our economy grew by about 6.6 per cent last year and it is set to grow at a similar pace this year,” adding that the projected growth was quite significant and would lead up to a reduction of the fiscal deficit in the 2013 budget to 1.8 per cent of GDP.
He said the administration was working towards providing food, health and jobs for Nigerians through various intervention schemes intended to benefit them while at the same time upgrading power supply, roads rehabilitation, agricultural productivity and others.
“We are however not unmindful of the fact that the ultimate benefit of this current result must reflect in the lives of the citizens. I agree totally that until we create jobs, until Nigerians can wake up and find food to eat, until sick Nigerians can walk to the hospitals and get treatment, the economic indices may not mean much to us,” he said.
“We are also focused on economic inclusion with an articulated strategy targeting the disadvantaged and unemployed in our society with economic opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job programmes.
“We are also building robust safety net programmes targeting pregnant mothers and children in the health sector and creating jobs through the You-Win programme,” he added.
On its part, the NLC threw its weight behind the amnesty efforts of the government for members of the Boko Haram sect to stem the tide of insecurity in the country.
Speaking at the rally, Omar in Abuja lamented that Nigeria faces severe security challenges that threaten its survival.
He urged the sect to lay down its arms and accept reconciliation talks as “Nigeria is also their country and its dismemberment or destruction offers no way forward for anyone.
“Our productive capacity is similarly diminishing. There is a feeling of loss of identity. We are scared and disfigured, as the nation lies prostate and we are shell shocked.
“But more worrying than all of this is our inexorable loss of humanity, both by the murderers and their victims.”
Omar urged the government to take the fight against corruption seriously, but described as “unfortunate” the recent pardon granted former Bayelsa State Governor, Deprieye Alamieyeseigha.
Esele, in his address, also appealed to Boko Haram to accept the effort at granting amnesty by the federal government.
He however noted that the government must find a middle ground between amnesty and justice.
“There can be no security no matter the amnesty or negotiations. What will you tell the policemen who were murdered in Bayelsa? What will you tell Christians who were blown up while worshipping in their churches? What will you tell the people of Baga?” he queried.
He also advocated an overhaul of the nation's security system, especially in terms of intelligence gathering and building a computerised database of criminals no matter how small the crime.
Esele, who made his last appearance as president of the TUC, accused the nation's judiciary of aiding corruption by granting frivolous injunctions and controversial judgments.
Commenting on the economic indices churned out by the president, Esele said the indices make no sense if they do not translate to better living standards for Nigerian workers.
There were goodwill messages by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu; Minister of State for FCT, Chief Jumoke Akinjide and other allies of the labour movement.
During the march past, the unions bore banners with various messages reading “INEC, Obey Court Order, Allow your Staff to Unionise”, “Recapitalise Bank of Industry, Ministry of Finance”, “Re-open Closed Factories, Create Millions of Jobs”, “Women Issues are Labour Issues” and “NUT, Leave Unity Schools Alone”, among others.
In his remarks in commemoration of the Workers’ Day, Senate President David Mark advised Nigerian workers to boost the economy and bring prosperity to the nation through commitment to production.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, the senate president said only a productive nation could feed its citizens, raise per capital income and maintain acceptable standard of living for the people.
Mark reminded workers that a consuming nation without a corresponding productive sector would be unhealthy in today's world as he expressed appreciation to Nigerian workers for their contributions to the economy and urged them to continue to collaborate with government in the task of developing the nation.
“The task of developing the economy is not the prerogative of those in government, it is a collective effort of all. It is not an issue of government on one side and workers at the opposing end. Everyone is a stakeholder in the task of making Nigeria a better place,” he said.
Mark also urged workers to avoid frequent strikes, describing them as counterproductive "because at the end of the day, we still return to the table for dialogue.”
He emphasised the commitment of the National Assembly towards people-oriented legislation, stating: “We are there for the people, we cannot do anything outside their interest or consideration.”
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