Mr. President, the economy is grounded – TUC

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) bemoans the unpleasant situation in the country which has stifled the economy and claimed thousands of jobs due to closure of companies. Fuel scarcity aside, the dearth of US dollars has made it impossible for firms to repay foreign loans and import needed materials for production.

Our role as a labour centre is multifaceted. We are saddled with the responsibility of functioning as change agents and watchdogs of both government and private business, and ensuring better welfare for workers. Of late our desk has been inundated with industrial issues, redundancy complaints, anti-labour practices, casualisation of workers, mass sack of workers, etc. All these are caused because of unfriendly business environment.

For instance, the food and beverage sector alone in the last few months has lost over 500 employees, the naira currently exchanges for N197 to a dollar at the official window and N320 at the parallel market, and firms that borrowed dollar-denominated loans are facing the risk of foreclosure on assets pledged as collateral and loss of credibility among creditors because of exchange rate fluctuations.

On the issue of power, we demand that the power distribution companies should stop sending so-called “estimated” bills to Nigerians. They are defrauding consumers while the government consistently looks the other way. How else do we explain the fact that Nigerians are paying for services not rendered? We recall that the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, prior to the 2015 elections said “any government that cannot fix power in six months is irresponsible.” Should we now say that both the minister and the present administration are irresponsible? Or shall we now conclude that this administration is conspiring with operators in the power sector to rip Nigerians off?

Equally worrisome is the lingering fuel scarcity that appears to defy all solutions in a country that is the sixth largest oil producer in the world. We have become a laughing stock amongst the comity of nations. The man-hours lost in traffic jams due to long fuel queues has become unimaginable. As it stands now virtually all sectors of the economy are groaning in serious and unbearable pain.

We are adverse to people blaming any particular political party for the ordeals of the country. The people voted for the present federal administration because they desire change. We need to see that change now. The government should speedily put an end to the fuel crisis situation even if it means stepping on sacred toes.

Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama

President, TUC

Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree

Ag. Secretary General, TUC