Probe Electricity $20 bn: 1999 – 2014
Probe generals
jail looters, seize ill-gotten wealth
No more austerity
Probe past Presidents
Public officers must earn minimum wage
Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
September 10, 2015 – Civil societies, comprising Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) on Thursday marched in their hundreds on the office of the Lagos State Governor, calling on President Muhammed Buhari not to yield to forces pressuring him to drop his anti-corruption crusade.
The labour groups called on the President to declare total war on corruption irrespective of party affiliation, jail all the looters and seize all ill-gotten wealth.
Armed with placards, such as “$20 billion spent on electricity (1999 -2014), no light, Buhari must ask; Retirees are dying. Is pension fund a scam; Unemployment made worst by corruption; Public officers must earn minimum wage; Security votes another means of treasury looting; 514 days, Chibok girls still missing; Nigerians are not dullards”, among others, the group insisted that government must put an end to corruption.
Speaking in behalf of the unions, Chairman TUC, Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Kasim said corruption in Nigeria takes many forms starting from embezzlement, bribery, rituals, rigging of elections and others adding that corruption is highly pronounced in the Nigerian political system and public sector.
“The belief is that once a person occupies any position, be it the smallest, they will use corrupt practices to enrich themselves”, he said, adding that corruption has created a very bad image for the country and its citizens, as Nigerians are viewed as corrupt and dubious people outside.
“Corruption prevents the provision of basic social amenities for the citizenry. The money meant for development is often pocketed by a few, thereby making good governance impossible. It has affected all the sectors –health, education, petroleum and others in the country. It has led to the collapse of the power sector and road network. Corruption has led to factory closure, retrenchment and worsening unemployment situation and under development in Nigeria. It engenders mass poverty and thwarts efforts to overcome it”, he said.
The TUC chairman attributed infrastructural decay and unsatisfactory provision of amenities to corruption.
“It erodes the ethical base of the society: as due diligence, excellence, honesty, merit and integrity are discouraged. It breeds all kinds of crimes and social ills such as vandalism-armed robbery, kidnapping, youth agitation and resulted in insecurity and others. It has led to massive brain drain-great number of Nigeria’s best brains have been driven to other parts of the world where they now spearhead development and scientific exploits”, he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Dagga Tolar of the DSM said that every kobo stolen by corrupt politicians “is a school, a hospital, a job and a future stolen from us all”.
He argued that Buhari cannot fight corruption since he is surrounded by people who have looted Nigeria and called on Nigerians to prevail on him to fight corruption.
He emphasized that Buhari must probe arms purchase from the time of Obasanjo to that of Jonathan. “How much did Obasanjo budget for defence? How much did Jonathan budget for security. If he must be taken seriously, Buhari must probe the generals”, he said.
Tolar said it is enough of belt tightening, and that Nigerians must resist any attempt by the Buhari regime to impose an austere measure. He said that previous austerity measures imposed by past rulers like Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and others did not yield any benefit for the masses.
“ The only belt-tightening Nigerians want now is that the belt must be used to tighten the looters, the belt must be used to tighten all former presidents”, he said and called on Nigerians to resist any attempt by Buhari to launch any austerity measure.
While responding to the unions, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode thanked the workers for the patience and for cooperating with Buhari.
Ambode who spoke through Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello said he will deliver their letter to President Muhammadu Buhari for needed action.
