The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated its resolve to continue to demand for peoples- oriented policies in the interest of the Nigerian poor.

The congress stated this yesterday in a New Year message signed by its president, Abdulwahed Omar. The congress said given the disturbing trend in the economy and governance in the past year, which were characterised by incessant job losses and unemployment, insecurity and corruption, as well as unparalleled impunity, the sustenance of good governance would require more commitment to a peoples-focused and oriented policy thrust in the interest of the Nigerian poor.

The congress called for prosecution of government officials indicted in the fuel subsidy scam, saying: "Government will be unfair to the Nigerian people if they fail to expeditiously prosecute those who have stolen so much, and caused so much trauma and death to the people. If our government is committed to the enthronement of good governance and a corrupt-free society, they must get the named beneficiaries of the oil subsidy scam to not only refund all the money they have stolen, but also serve appropriate jail terms."

The congress also expressed sadness that a National Minimum Wage which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by President since March 2011, "is being observed in the breach by some state governments," especially in Plateau State.

It said the purported economic growth in the country does not translate into industrial development and better life for the Nigerian people and called for more proactive measures.

The congress, however, noted the positive developments in the rail transport and commended the timely passage of the 2013 budget by the National Assembly.