Abuja — Growing controversies in the Halliburton bribe scandal, particularly between the Attorney General of the Federation and various government officials is becoming a source of worry to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

NLC, in a statement by its President, Abdulwahed Omar, said such war of words between all stakeholders involved in the issue may lead to distractions, given the long history of broken promises in the country.

He observed that most Nigerians have become skeptical of government actions adding that the existing controversy should not be allowed to divert attention from the monumental bribe scandal, which the Presidency itself claims is a putrid affair.

According to the NLC, "if the Presidency believes that it needs to investigate the matter before prosecution hence its decision to set up the inter-agency committee, this should not lead to controversy.

"We believe that the Presidency knows that in the Halliburton scandal, the administration's reputation, claims to the rule of law and avowed commitment to the anti-corruption war are at stake.

"In other words, government itself is on public trial in whatever way it handles the Halliburton scandal, and its outcome may be the basis to judge this administration's competence and commitment," the statement added.