NLC To Buhari On Economy revitalisation: Don’t Yield To Blackmail, Go After Looters Of Treasury
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urge President Muhammadu Buhari not to yield to blackmail but make a tough decision by going after those have stolen from the treasury..
NLC, the Pan Nigerian organisation also said almost all governors in Nigeria cannot account for the monies collected from the generation account, even with the once generated internally.
President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in a letter to President Buhari further described as “extreme selfishness and insensate cruelty” for the governors to make such prescription as only option for economy recovery.
“the Governors amongst other things, had proposed the elimination of PMS subsidy/under-recovery estimated at N6-7 trillion, early retirement of civil servants from age 50 and above, the implementation of the reviewed Oronsaye Report, putting an end to financing government’s budgetary expenditures, converting its N 19 trillion debt into a 1OO-year bond, putting a final stop to PMS subsidy, eliminating NNPCs federation-funded projects, capping Social Investment Programme (SIP) and National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy budgets at N200 billion, eliminating extra-constitutional deductions from FAAC, reducing National Assembly constituency projects, etc”.
Wabba who said Buhari was elected by Nigerians because of his antecedent asked him to be ‘tough’ and go after those who took public funds.
The letter which addressed through Chief of Staff to the president, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari and signed by President of the congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said “it should not be too difficult as it is a choice between good and evil”.
On the allegation that governors can’t account for the monies collected from the federation account, the letter said ” Speaking directly to the issue of removal of fuel subsidy, we find it unrealistic, insensitive and hypocritical.
READ ALSO: Petrol subsidy: $7bn Diversion Height of Corruption Under Buhari, Says HURIWA
“It is on record that governors have always been against the culture of saving for the rainy day. In spite of this culture of recklessness predating your administration, few of them have anything to show for all the moneys they have collected. If there is little or nothing to show for the principal sums or revenues collected over the years, what assurance do we have that the additional sum on top of the principal popularly called subsidy (most of which is shrouded in mystery and crime anyway) can be put to effective use.
“Coupled with this, we find it distasteful that petrol subsidies in Nigeria create distortions in the economy but they do the opposite in US or Western Europe! Truth is that removal of the little benefit the average person in Nigeria enjoys could lead to unintended consequences which we would be better off without”.
The congress however suggested that ” the solution to subsidy and the ballooning deficits lies in domestic refining, effective management of our refineries, and creating an enabling environment for effective and efficient public sector leadership in the building and management of local refineries.
“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, is very clear in the provisions of Chapter Two that the commanding heights of the economy should be in public hands, and also that the resources of the economy should be held in public hands and also that the resources of the country should be managed in such a way as to assure maximum benefits to the people of Nigeria.
“We aver that the only way these provisions can be effectively implemented is by ensuring that public sector leadership in the oil and gas sector, in the refining of petroleum products, and in the management of the benefits accruing therefrom.
Currently, our country loses $ 1.9 billion to oil thieves every month. Consequently, Nigeria is unable to meet its production quota to OPEC in addition to the colossal damage to the environment.
“we urge you to go forth and recover all the money cornered by the Governors and any other public office holder, to the last kobo irrespective of party affiliation, creed or sex. The reason why we Nigerians gave you the mandate to preside over the affairs of the country was because we believed in you, we believed you could fix the country. Today, do not yield to any blackmail even as the choice for you to make is a tough one. However, given your antecedent, it should not be too difficult as it is a choice between good and evil.
“identify those responsible for this dishonourable conduct that has plunged us all into this dark abyss. Accordingly, we call for severe sanctions that will send a clear message to all that the practice of popular democracy is not synonymous with violation of extant laws or promotion of corruption”.
