Govs diverting bailout funds, NLC cries out

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday alleged that state governors who received the bailout funds from the Federal Government to pay salaries and pensions of workers are diverting the money into fixed deposit account in banks for peculiarly reasons.
Speaking on the development, President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba argued that the action of the state governors is unacceptable and will be resisted, adding that the Congress was working with Independent Corrupt Practices and other relate Offences Commission (ICPC) to track the fixed funds for the purpose of taking appropriate action.
Wabba who commended the National Council of State and President Buhari for their interventions in the payment of backlog of salaries, however lamented that the enthusiasm and commitment shown on the matter by the Council of State and the President has been lacking in some states.
According to the NLC boss: “Some state governors have elected to play politics with the welfare of their workers with some of them quoted as saying that they reserve the right to do what they like with the intervention fund from the federal government since it is a loan.

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“We note particularly that payment of pensions at state and local governments is a major problem because they operate defined benefit pension system which often times is not funded. And even when it is funded, the governors and their cohorts help themselves to these funds because they are exposed.
“We condemn this attitude and strongly warn that henceforth, any state that defaults in the regular payment of salaries and pensions will face the wrath of the workers. Salaries and pensions are inalienable rights of workers and retirees and not privileges. We also call for pension reforms at state and local government levels to enhance the security of pension funds and regular payments.”
Expatiating, he said: “We would want to sound a note of caution to the governors who have fixed the intervention funds in banks for pecuniary benefits. It is totally unacceptable. The Nigeria Labour Congress is working with ICPC to track the fixed funds for the purpose of taking appropriate action.”

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