In a recent development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over a proposed monthly cash palliative of N8,000 for 12 million Nigerian families.
The NLC argues that this move is a clear attempt to exploit the poor in order to benefit the rich.
President Tinubu had written a letter to the National Assembly, seeking approval for an $800 million loan intended to provide N8,000 per month to each of the 12 million households.
This initiative is aimed at mitigating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
Expressing their discontent, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero issued a press release on Tuesday, accusing the Federal Government of adopting dictatorial tactics that further impoverish the Nigerian population.
Ajaero emphasized that the government failed to consider the plight of Nigerian workers when formulating this palliative plan.
He stated, “We have refrained from publicly commenting on the distressing issues surrounding the recent and regrettable unilateral increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) under the guise of subsidy withdrawal. However, the government’s actions have resulted in unimaginable hardship, sorrow, anguish, and suffering for Nigerian workers and the masses.”
Ajaero pointed out that the NLC’s stance is based on their firm belief in the importance of social dialogue and its mechanisms, particularly within a democratic setting.
He expressed disappointment in the government’s reliance on impunity and autocratic governance, which contradicts democratic principles that call for extensive stakeholder consultation on significant matters of national importance.
Recalling previous incidents, Ajaero mentioned the federal government’s call for dialogue following the drastic increase in petroleum product prices and the subsequent nationwide industrial action.
He also highlighted the government’s recourse to obtaining a controversial court injunction, enforced with fully armed security personnel. Despite these provocations, the NLC remained committed to the principles of the rule of law and democracy.
Regarding the proposed palliative plan, Ajaero stated, “Instead of reciprocating the goodwill of Nigerian workers, the federal government has chosen the path of dictatorship and aims to further impoverish the people by implementing measures that can only be described as taking from the poor to feed the rich.”
He strongly condemned the Tinubu-led administration’s decision to seek National Assembly approval for an additional N500 billion loan from the World Bank.
This loan is intended to finance a seemingly illusory palliative measure designed to alleviate the negative effects of the government’s poorly conceived fuel price hike.
Ajaero further criticized the allocation of N70 billion to National Assembly members and N36 billion to the judiciary, deeming it an insensitive and reckless diversion of public funds into the pockets of public officials who are responsible for safeguarding the nation’s treasury.
He suggested that this allocation may be an attempt to silence and bribe the other branches of government to condone these irregularities.
The NLC President expressed his dismay that a government that has inflicted significant hardship on its citizens within a mere two months of assuming office would propose a measure that primarily benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
He stated, “The proposal to provide a meager sum of N8,000 per month to each of the so-called 12 million poorest Nigerian households, totaling N48,000 over six months, insults our collective intelligence and makes a mockery of our patience and faith in social dialogue, which the government only pays lip service to.”
Ajaero questioned the government’s intentions and methods, highlighting concerns about the accuracy of the data used to identify the supposed 12 million poorest households.
He also expressed doubts about the transparency and fairness of the cash transfer distribution process, citing previous instances such as the school feeding programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trader Moni initiative as cautionary examples of potential mismanagement of public resources.
The NLC had shown willingness to commence work on the committees related to the proposed palliative plan, but the federal government has yet to inaugurate the National Steering Committee, thus delaying progress.
Ajaero expressed doubts about the government’s commitment to addressing the consequences of its policies and criticized their borrowing spree and subsequent self-allocation of funds.
In conclusion, Ajaero declared that if the government does not cease its contentious actions under the pretext of palliatives, the NLC will be compelled to reassess their engagement and take matters into their own hands, in order to ensure the welfare and interests of Nigerian workers and citizens at large.
