The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed disappointment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s yesterday broadcast addressing the country’s economic challenges.
The NLC criticized the speech for lacking the “silver bullet” solutions that Nigerians had hoped for, stating that it seemed out of touch with the prevailing hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
One of the key issues raised by the NLC was the absence of a clear plan to revive the nation’s public refineries, which have long been dormant.
President Tinubu’s silence on this crucial matter left the NLC questioning the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of the subsidy crisis.
According to a press statement signed by the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC called out the President for failing to unmask those responsible for looting Nigeria’s wealth under the guise of petrol subsidy.
They emphasized that mere lamenting about the “elites of the elites” who have amassed great wealth and power was not enough, and demanded a firm commitment to bring these economic saboteurs to justice and recover stolen funds.
Regarding the review of the national minimum wage, the NLC asserted that the government had not demonstrated a sincere willingness to negotiate with Organised Labour. The failure to inaugurate the sub-committee on wage award and the lack of comparable wage adjustments for public workers added to the growing discontent.
The NLC also questioned the effectiveness of the government’s interventions, such as palliatives, loans, and conditional grants, noting that past promises had often resulted in little tangible change in the lives of citizens.
Furthermore, the NLC expressed bewilderment at the omission of critical issues, such as the repair of national refineries and holding those responsible for subsidy corruption accountable.
They pointed out that these concerns were addressed in the past by current government officials, leaving Nigerians wondering why they were not addressed in the President’s speech.
Comrade Ajaero, reassured Nigerians that the NLC remains committed to advocating for their interests and emphasized the need for concrete steps by the government to improve the living conditions of citizens and alleviate the ongoing hardships.
As the nation awaits a response from the government, the NLC vows to continue their struggle until genuine efforts are made to alleviate the sufferings faced by workers and ordinary Nigerians across the country.
