• To engage lawmakers on jumbo allowances
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Muhammedu Buhari to go ahead with his plan to probe and prosecute looters of the nation’s treasury.
Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said the president should note that he was elected based on his integrity and promise to clean the rot in the system, adding that he should not give in to any pressure from anybody or group.
“One person who will serve as good example for all Nigerians is the president and he must be ready to lay a good example.
“We are aware that some people are persuading him not to go ahead with the probe, but he should not allow any pressure from anybody. He should go ahead with it and even prosecute whoever is found guilty,” he said.
Wabba said labour was planning a rally in support of the probe, adding that labour was ready to stand by the Presidency.
“We are planning a rally and we will continue to support him if he continues to stand on the basis of the truth,” he said.
Wabba pointed out that June allocation was increased by about 13 per cent. He said the increase would have ended in private pockets if the president had not taken some measures to stop corruption.
“This increase showed that there has been a leakage in the past. This 13 per cent would have ended in some individual pockets. This shows that President Buhari is ready to fight corruption and he if continues, it will help the economy,” Wabba said.
On the jumbo pay allocated to the National Assembly, Wabba said it is unfortunate that despite the promised by the lawmakers to reduced and re-address the allocation, the lawmakers have rejected the a cut.
According to Wabba, labour will engage the lawmakers over the issue.
He demanded explanation on how the National Assembly allegedly spent N600 billion in the last four years.
“Nigerians are concerned and want explanations on how the National Assembly budget, which in 2003 was N23.347 billion rose to N66.488 billion in 2007, and then climbed to N104.825 billion in 2008.
“By 2011, all that appeared under the National Assembly budget was N150 billion without any breakdown. Nigerians need explanation.
“They should try to conform to the system and allow the rule of law to prevail. This jumbo allocation is not what was approved, rather it is what they approved for themselves.
“They should explain to the Nigerians how they arrived at this figure. This is corruption from the highest order and we will not allow this. Our lawmakers should be ready to leave by good example because Nigerians are watching,” Wabba said.
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