Daily Independent (Lagos)
5 January 2009
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has blamed the alarming rate of crime, including kidnappings in various parts of the country on lack of employment.
The TUC's President General, Comrade Peter Esele, while fielding questions from newsmen on national issues called on governments at all levels to provide job opportunities, security and other social amenities for the people in 2009.
The inability of government to equitably distribute the nation's wealth, and its inability to take care of the citizens, he says has led many, especially the youths, to negative things that are inimical to the development of the larger society.
He said "if government cannot distribute the nation's resources equitably, or give the Nigerians decent employment that they deserve in the society in 2009 then, the issues of crimes may rise this year".
"A major effort is needed to improve productivity, earnings and the poor working conditions in order to reduce poverty that affects nearly half of all the workers in the Nigeria", he added.
According to Esele, despite the abundant human and natural resources in Nigeria, the citizens are still swimming in abject poverty and underdevelopment, the result of mismanagement of God-given wealth by those at the helms of affairs.
He said "We live in a time of opportunity and uncertainty in which some of the barriers that have prevented workers from fully realizing their capabilities are coming down, but in which good jobs that provide the foundation of security to build better lives are increasingly difficult to find"
The TUC boss charged the nation's leaders to give ear to the yearnings and aspirations of the poor masses that are really facing untold hardship in the country this year.
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