NGF PROPOSALS: The Nigerian Governors Forum’s (NGF) controversial proposal to the federal government on how to save the nation from hard times and total economic collapse has been criticized by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
Basic Facts
- The Nigerian Governor`s Forum had recently made some recommendations to the federal government on how to navigate through the rough times bedeviling the country.
- The recommendations from the NGF, which included compulsory retirement of workers above the age of 50 years, has since them caused ripples nationwide and attracted criticisms from many quarters.
- Nigerian workers under the Nigerian Labour Congress have officially weighed in on the issue, lambasting the governors for their recommendations.
What We Know
Considering the protracted economic and security challenges bedeviling the nation since the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which has worsened in the recent times, the NGF met to proffer some solutions.
Rising from their meeting, they made some very controversial recommendations to the federal government, which has never gone well in the polity. The controversy generated by the NGF`s recommendations has since then failed to quell.
The most controversial part of the recommendations by the NGF was the retirement of civil servants who are 50 and above. Additionally, they had suggested ceasing financing of government’s budgetary expenses.
In addition, the governors suggested freezing the budgets for the Social Investment Programme (SIP), the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy, and the NNPC’s federation-funded projects at N200 billion.
Organised labour have now officially weighed into the controversy referring to the NGF`s proposals to the Federal Government as being callous, self-centered, and hypocritical.
This was stated by the NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari that was made accessible to journalists on Friday in Abuja.
Notable Quotes
The letter partly read, “Your Excellency, while we do agree that the economy is in need of revitalisation, we are dismayed by some of the prescriptions of the governors as they smack of extreme selfishness and insensate cruelty.”
He claims that the governors have advocated for the early termination of public employee appointments beginning at age 50, which is blatantly against their employment contracts and current legislation.
Mr. Ayuba Wabba further stated:
“We find this repugnant, shameful, and utterly irresponsible. Aside from running contrary to your mission and principle of creating 100 million jobs.”
“Aside from poverty intervention schemes, this policy is a clear invitation to anarchy and damnation.”
“Pursuant to this, if State Governors strongly believe that age 50 is the problem, we demand that all governors, public office holders, and politicians above 50, as a mark of good faith, should immediately step aside.”
“Leading by example would spur public servants to take a cue.
“Beyond this, however, implementation of this policy in the public sector will give a cue to the private sector to follow suit, with all its attendant devastating consequences.”
He continued:
“Governors are famous for lavish spending and wastage and there was no assurance that money saved from stopped oil subsidy would be channeled to good use.”
On the issue of removal of fuel subsidy the NLC president added that the Congress found it “unrealistic, insensitive and hypocritical.”
He added:
“We find it distasteful that petrol subsidies in Nigeria create distortions in the economy but they do the opposite in U.S. or Western Europe.”
“Truth is that removal of the little benefit the average person in Nigeria enjoys could lead to unintended consequences which we would be better off without.”
He said that the solution to subsidy and the increasing deficits lay in domestic refining and effective management of Nigerian refineries.
“This also to create an enabling environment for effective and efficient public sector leadership in the building and management of local refineries.” he said.
The NLC president further stated that it is “heartless,” that the recommendation of the planned 22 percent salary increase for workers is put on hold due to the massive devaluation of the Naira.
In his words:
“At over N600 to a dollar, the minimum of N30,000 amounts to no more than $42.8 for a family of four for 30 days.”
“The implication of this is all too clear to see already, with the rapidly rising crime wave, and the intensifying epidemic of insecurity.”
“While we commend you for your thoughtfulness for a wage increase, the truth of the matter is that given the misfortune that has befallen the Nigerian populace, especially workers with fixed incomes.”
“There is an urgent need for a massive intervention much deeper than the 22 percent.”
“We would recommend a 50 percent salary review across the board given the realities on the ground.”
According to Wabba, the plans for the implementation of state sales taxes at a rate of 10% aim to increase the tax burden on the poor while imposing little or no taxes on the wealthy.
The rich paying taxes to compensate for the poor is a widely accepted norm, he continued, and this was an obvious violation of that tradition.
Wabba consequently demanded a general increase in taxes for the wealthy, including higher taxes on luxury products and lifestyles.
Clariform quotes Wabba as saying:
“Your Excellency, instead of embracing jobs termination which will compound the existing crises in our country, we should adopt the positives of retaining our best hands as a way of motivating the public service.”
“We find ludicrous the recommendation for the expedited privatization of non-performing assets because our privatization story has been a sad and painful one that and hath no need of re-telling here.”
“It has been replete with asset-stripping, incapacity (financial, operational and management) and total failure.”
“At a time most Nigerians are calling for a reversal, especially in the power sector, it is ill-advised to privatize more entities.”
The NLC president added that one of the reasons the economy wasn’t functioning up to expectations was “because TSA and IPPIS have been compromised.”
He concluded by saying:
“Accordingly, we call for severe sanctions that will send a clear message to all that the practice of popular democracy is not synonymous with violation of extant laws or promotion of corruption.”
“Closely linked to this, is the cost of governance which comes in the twin form of unacceptable indulgences and celebration of greed to the detriment of the greater majority.”
“This leads to the promotion of negative values with collateral consequences.”
“We need not remind you that we have enough resources to go round everyone one of us but for the expensive lifestyle, the insatiable greed, and the mischief of a select few.”
“In the light of this, we urge you to go forth and recover all the money cornered by the governors and any other public office holder, to the last kobo irrespective of party affiliation, creed, or sex.”
