Leadership (Abuja)
2 May 2008
President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday urged public servants to support government's various reform programmes to move the nation forward. The president stated this at the 2008 May Day rally in Abuja, organised to mark workers' day that government would not succeed in its policies if workers did not believe in them.
The president, who was represented by the minister of labour and productivity, Dr. Hassan Lawal, said that trade unions should work with government to ensure economic development.
"The trade unions must accept responsibilities along with the government to create a new Nigeria anchored on social justice, due process and the rule of law.
"It is only in doing so that government's efforts in ensuring the promotion of democracy, good governance, sustainable growth and social justice can be driven to conclusion," he said.
In his speech, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President called on the Federal Government to design new policies that would create jobs in Nigeria. He said that the only way to eradicate poverty was the accessibility of job for the unemployed.
Omar said that government must intervene in order for closed factories and organisations to function again. He said it was regrettable that some workers in the private and public sectors still slaved as casual workers because of unavailability of jobs.
"It is unacceptable, illegal and we will continue to resist it," he cautioned, adding that the NLC would mobilise against employers who engaged casual labour.
President of the NLC said that the congress would approach the government to open up negotiations for an upward review of wages. He said it was time to demand for salary increases, "especially in view of the unbearable cost of living."
"We will approach governments to open up negotiations for a review of existing wages and conditions. As we speak, political office holders are earning enhanced salaries and allowances. Salaries of political office holders have been increased on two previous occasions, while salaries of workers have remained the same."
Omar said there was now a moral imperative for a wage review, "otherwise the situation will remain, as our veterans used to describe it, 'monkey de work, baboon de chop'."
He said the battle to implement the 15 percent wage increase in some states was still on and would not be an impediment to demanding enhanced wages. "We will continue the fight against such state governments until they fully implement the 15 per cent wage increase," Omar said.
The labour leader called on President Yar'Adua to do something about unpaid arrears of monetisation benefit in some parastatal agencies of the federal government.
"Our colleagues, who are being owed arrears of monetisation have run out of patience.
"We urge the Federal Government to hasten work on the modalities of the payment of the arrears. "Our patience has run out," he said.
Omar lamented the proposed increase in electricity tariff, saying that labour would resist any attempt to increase electricity tariffs at this time.
"With the epileptic supply of electricity, Nigerians spend too much on alternative sources. Increasing tariffs will mean double jeopardy and Labour will certainly not accept this.
"We believe that stability of power supply needs to be attained and guaranteed before an upward review of electricity tariff is contemplated," he said.
Omar said while recognising that there was an emerging global food crisis, government needed to take urgent steps to prevent mass hunger in the land.
"With the rains and planting season now with us, deliberate interventions by governments at all levels need to be initiated to ensure adequate planting and adequate supply of input to farmers at reasonable and affordable costs. "We therefore call on this administration to pursue a transformative agricultural policy that will address the short-term food crisis and pave the way for self-sufficiency in food," he urged.
Peter Esele, President-General of the Trade Union Congress, lamented the state of the country's economy saying, "nothing is presently working in the country and Nigerian workers are at the receiving end.
"We are a nation at a crossroads where infrastructure are experiencing decay coupled with indiscipline, high rate of corruption, misplaced priorities and bad leadership," he said.
Esele said the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency recall 49 University of Ilorin lecturers sacked for their involvement in a strike in 2001.
"The case has lingered on for too long with each successive administration dodging the issue and bringing legal technicality. We advise the federal government to abide by the agreement of June 30, 2001 that no academic staff should be victimised for participating in a strike," he said.
He, however, commended the government for its effort to reduce corruption in the country using EFCC and ICPC.
The theme of this year's May Day celebrations is: "Making Nigeria Work for its People."
Various affiliates of the NLC in their solidarity messages called on the government to revive the power sector so that dead factories and companies could function again.
Mr. Zakari Adams, chairman of the FCT Council of the NLC lamented that several years after the monetisation policy was announced, thousands of workers had not been paid, while many other thousands have lost their jobs. About 34 of NLC's affiliates participated in the march- past to mark the celebration with the theme: "Making Nigeria Work for Its People."
Immediate past president of the NLC, Adams Oshiomhole, was the toast of workers at the Workers Day rally in Abuja. Jubilant workers who carried him shoulder-high around the venue while singing his praises heralded his dramatic arrival at the Eagle Square venue of the rally.
On his arrival, Oshiomhole was greeted by songs of "solidarity for ever," sung by excited unionists and workers alike. The disruption took more than 30 minutes and compelled the organisers to appeal that the labour leader be allowed to take his seat.
On his part, Oshiomhole greeted fellow comrades and workers with radiant smiles as they lifted his hands to show support for an accomplished labour leader.
Banners singing his praises also dotted the venue, clearly marking him as a man of the people. Some of the banners read: "Nigeria needs Oshiomhole in government. Oshiomhole's mandate, the people's mandate. God's case, no appeal."
In an interview, Oshiomhole said the reception almost moved him to tears.
He said the action of the crowd toward him was recognition of his service and modest contribution to the union and to the country.
"It was done in appreciation of my modest contributions," he said.
He advised that his successor should build on the achievements he made as a labour leader.
He thanked Nigerians for the good support, urging them to continue to accord recognition to positive contributions. He admonished Nigerians to place greater emphasis on good name rather than on material acquisition.
On the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI), Oshiomhole expressed shock that the bill was delayed. He prayed the National Assembly to recognise the right of the citizens to know, adding that "accountability is not possible without the bill."
He said: "It is in the interest of Nigerians that the bill be passed. I hope there will be a rethink. "Otherwise, democracy cannot take its proper root."
The Kaduna State chapter of NLC also yesterday tasked both the executive and legislative arm of government to ensure strict punishment of all indicted officials found wanting in one way or another.
The state chairman of the chapter, Comrade Daniel D. Bissalah stated this while delivering a speech during the May Day celebration in Kaduna yesterday.
"Obasanjo government was a regime that pretended to be fighting corruption by using the dreaded EFCC to chase, intimidate and harass perceived political opponents and enemies, while its cronies that criminally looted the public treasures enjoyed their freedom," he said.
Much later instead of addressing some of the problems highlighted by the two chairmen, the acting Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa spoke on the newly introduced programme, in the health sector, tagged Braingain, through which the state intends to keep its workforce and even attract others through salaries increase and allowances commensurate with what is obtainable at the federal level.
He said the state has earmarked 5 percent pay rise for classroom teachers above the 15 percent increase to boost teachers' morale, and it will do everything within its powers to revive the collapsed textiles in the state.
From Kwara State, NLC also yesterday endorsed the ongoing probe of the power sector and called on members of the House of Representatives to bring the probe to a logical conclusion.
The umbrella body of the nation's workers union also warned the Federal Government against treating the recent crisis in the prices of foodstuff with levity.
While noting that the mess in the revelations coming out of the ongoing probe in the power sector has brought to the fore the real reasons for the nation's underdevelopment, the union pointed out that "the unprecedented rise in the prices of food items is alarming and disturbing."
Speaking through the NLC chairman in Kwara State, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeoribe at the Workers' Day rally in Ilorin yesterday, the union added that "while the House of Representatives has so far demonstrated courage and purpose, we strongly urge it to follow the probe to the logical conclusion."
"We also call on the House of Representatives to ensure that all persons, including corporate entities whether registered or unregistered found to have taken part in this serial dwindling of Nigerian people are brought to book no matter how-highly placed."
On the skyrocketing prices of foodstuff, the NLC while calling on the Federal Government to intervene more positively and pragmatically reminded the powers that be that the crisis if not urgently addressed "could result into a national crisis."
It noted that "Nigeria ordinarily has no business importing food if only our leaders would stop playing politics with agriculture and give necessary encouragement and required assistance of subsidy to our farmers."
The NLC equally called for the unconditional reinstatement of the 69 sacked lecturers of the University of Ilorin in the interest of justice and fair play.
While saluting the courage and steadfastness of the sacked lecturers, the NLC particularly enjoined President Umar Yar'Adua to "unconditionally recall and reinstate these innocent and God-fearing lecturers."
The Bayelsa State chapter of the workers' union called on the state government to reflect the 15 per cent consolidated salary in the pension allowances of retirees in the state.
Speaking at the 2008 workers' day celebration in Yenagoa, the state NLC chairman, Mr. Ben Basua urged government to give special consideration to pensioners on the N2, 500 medical allowances and its attendant N90, 000 arrears in order to save the senior citizens from destitution and suffering.
He recalled that the Federal Government in a circular No. PNA 32760/3.19/TI/31 on February 14 2003 handed the payment of retirement benefits of primary school retirees to local government staff pensions board.
Basua however lamented that the state pensions board could not meet the financial involvement resulting to several months of unpaid arrears; just as he stated with emphasis that it would not be out of place to engage pensioners that are physically strong with the requisite qualification on contract employment and board appointments.
In Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Amaechi called on the NLC to assist the security operatives in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminalities in the region.
The governor who described kidnappers of wives and innocent persons including toddlers as evil, terrorists and criminally-minded persons, expressed dismay over the spate of militancy in the region.
Amaechi who stated this on the occasion of the May Day workers celebration at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, observed that the acts of criminalities and hostage-takings had slowed down the socio- economic activities in the state even as investors had been scared of investing in the state.
He charged the NLC and heads of communities in the state to proffer solutions capable of curbing the menace in the state, noting that the scenario has led most investors to re-locate to other neighbouring states for safety.
The governor further urged heads of communities and civil societies to be involved in community policing as to check the trend of criminalities and hostage -taking of our wives and underage children.
According to him, the cooperative efforts of the heads of communities and the police would stamp out the criminalities in the region.
On workers' welfare, Amaechi said, all allowances and entitlements, owed workers would be paid to enhance their productivities.
He added that more jobs would be created to reduce the spate of unemployment in the state as well as encourage youths empowerment.
The state government, he said would develop more cities and towns in the state to allow for massive job creation and decongest the city from huge traffics.
Earlier, chairman of NLC, Rivers State, Chief Chris Oruge had blamed the spate of criminalities and hostage- takings in the state to insecurity as more companies and investors had abandoned the state to other safer cities.
Oruge called on the Rivers State government to create jobs for restive youths in order to reduce the rate of crimes and that are paramount in the city.
Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau yesterday donated six vehicles worth millions of Naira to the state branch of the NLC with a view to facilitate the functions of the congress throughout the state.
In his address during the 2008 May Day celebrations held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Malam Shekarau explained that the donation of the vehicles was among the reasonable welfare programmes for the entire workers of the state, saying that the vehicles would also assist the leaders of the union in alleviating their transportation problems especially in undertaking of their activities across the state.
He said that the state government earmarked the sum of N110million for the local and overseas training of the workers in the state, saying that this is among the positive response of the state government towards ensuring qualitative manpower skills as well as to enhance the awareness of the workers.
Shekarau also revealed that in its efforts during the year review, the state government has engaged the services of 15,000 staff with a view to reducing the menaces of unemployment; he added that 179 different extension workers were employed in KNARDA in order to boost the agricultural services of the state, while another 3,000 agricultural workers were also employed by the local government councils in the state.
He further stated that the government has elongated the services of PHC and environmental workers from Grade level 15 to 16 and also provided domestic allowances for workers on Grade levels 15 to 17, while workshops and seminars have also been approved for the workers in order to improve their skills.
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