TUC wants bail-out recouped from states’ allocations

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has advised the Federal Government to recoup the N400 billion bailout package for salaries for state workers from the monthly allocations due to the affected states. In a statement made available to New Telegraph, the congress commended the Federal Government for coming to the rescue of state governments by approving the sum as a relief loan package for payment of workers’ salaries in states of the federation. The Congress, however, advocated that the President Buhari- led government, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, work out modalities through which the money will be paid back. The Congress advised that this be actualised through monthly at-source deductions from Federation Account funds of the affected states.

The statement jointly signed by TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Musa Lawal, expressed strong reservations about the total liquidation of the Excess Crude Account as reported in some national dailies. It emphasised that it would have kicked against the bailout but for its mindfulness of the pains of millions of workers and their families who would benefit from it.

“The move is tantamount to eroding and eating up the future of unborn generations. But we shall allow it because of the innocent workers and their dependants and on the condition that sufficient arrangements are made to guarantee early repayment of the money by the states. How can a governor who is also head of a family owe workers up to 10 months’ salary in a country where there is no price control? Such laxity is totally unacceptable, a typical example of man’s inhumanity to man,” they lamented.

The Congress, however, acknowledged contrary reports credited to the Presidency, contending that the earlier report on liquidation of the Excess Crude Account is incorrect and expressed hope that the earlier report is indeed untrue. The statement warned that the Buhari administration must guard against presence of fifth columnists in its midst so as not to give Nigerians any reason to regret voting it into power. “It appears some people in the administration are only there for themselves, their families and cronies instead of working for the improvement of the lot of the people, stopping the increasing spate of bomb explosions that have claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed much property in the once peaceful North-Eastern part of the country, etc., etc. Financial waywardness, profligacy, impunity and the awkward belief in business as usual must come to an end,” the statement advised.