The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has cautioned the Federal Government against using the escalating tensions in the Middle East to fuel poverty in Nigeria.Its President, Joe Ajearo,who conveyed the warning in a statement on Sunday, said the primary function of government is to cater for the welfare of the citizens and should not be jeopardised by the gulf crisis.
He said:”The government cannot foreclose any action that would offer succor. We demand an immediate intervention. It is the duty of the state to act to prevent the agony of its citizens and not wring its hands in hopelessness mouthing the Middle east war.
“Latest forecast by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) shows that Nigeria stands to reap about N30trn (Thirty Trillion Naira) Oil windfall from the Middle East crisis.”
According to him, the N30trn oil windfall expected to accrue to Nigeria as a result of the current Middle East war must not
be mismanaged by the government like the Gulf Oil windfall.
He said the current windfall should be invested in Nigerian people and used to cushion the negative effects of the crisis in Nigerian people.
He advised the government to immediately halt the vandalism of the public sector and bring the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries back on stream; “not as a favour, but as a right of the Nigerian people to cushion themselves from a hostile global order”.
The government must engage in sincere social dialogue with Nigerian workers and the broader citizenry.
He suggested a timeline for the full-scale operationalization of all public refineries,saying Nigeria state must be held accountable for billions spent on turnaround maintenance.
According to him,there should be an immediate Wage Award and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for all workers to cushion the high cost of living.
He also suggested an expansion and overhaul of Cash Transfers to ensure transparency and that they reach the most vulnerable, with increased value to match inflation.
He added that there should be an immediate tax reliefs for workers and a stoppage of all regressive taxes on low-income earners, including the proposed tax on the informal economy.