Arrest the Nigeria Economic crisis to avoid social unrest- Nigeria Civil Service Union
The Nigeria Civil Service Union has called on the Federal Government to quickly address the present economic crisis bedevilling the country to avoid social unrest.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the celebration of (111 years) One hundred and eleven years formation of Nigeria Civil Service Union held at the National Headquarters of the Union in Abuja which was signed by both the National President Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday and General Secretary Comrade Bomoi Mohammed ibraheem
According to the communique, the Federal Government should see wisdom in some solutions proffered by the Organized Labour in Nigeria towards moving the nation forward such as bringing back to life the four monumental refineries, reversal of Tuition fees increment, wage award to workers to address present economic hardship, upward review of living wage, rolling out sustainable impactful palliatives to mitigate the present economic hardship,
if not quickly addressed by the Federal Government, the present situation may snowball into spontaneous social unrest.
The Nigeria Civil Service Union evaluated critical issues affecting the country, ranging from Fuel Subsidy removal and its attendants effects on the entire ppopulace, which has further increased the number of multidimensionally poor Nigerians to 187 million ( out of over 200 million Nigeria population) with the last count by independent research conducted recently.
“The economic hardship has dehumanized the entire populace; there is high transportation cost, high cost of living, Nigerians are presently traumatized psychologically, the meeting hereby called on Federal Government to address the issue squarely by fixing the four Nigeria refineries, rejig the economy with sound economic policy and review the living wage for workers.”
The meeting passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and entire Organized Labour in Nigeria in consonance with their positions on the present State of the nation .
The meeting expressed its reservation over the new trend of abuse of roles by the Nigeria Police and the judiciary as manifested in their activities in recent time , gradually rendering Federal Ministry of Labour and employment inactive in carrying out its statutory functions.
The meeting also called on the office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation to desist from meddling with the right of Unions to organize its members within the framework of their respective constitutional provisions especially as far as the tenure of its elected members are concerned.
Cinsequent upon the above, the meeting advocated for the state of emergency to be declared to enable stakeholders in Trade Union movements arrest this ugly trend in industrial relations practices in Nigeria.
The meeting discussed the genesis of crisis bedevilling the Union in the Federal inland Revenue Services and called on the management of the FIRS to extend its olive branch by obeying the court order that directed the management of Federal inland Revenue Services to allow Nigeria Civil Service Union to operate in FIRS , to allow fair weather industrial relations practices in line with international best practices.
The meeting expressed the commitment of the National leadership of the Union more than ever before to begin empowerment programme that will guarantee self reliance of members of the Union to engage in trade work that can bring income to the family aside from monthly salaries while interests and welfare of members and staff of the Union will be prioritized in line with the vision and mission of the Union.
To this end, the union will focus on Gender equity and equality while women empowerment will be used as a template to kickstart the programme.
The meeting appreciated founding fathers of the Union in persons of Henry Libert, David Ojeli and other subsequent National Presidents , General Secretaries , elected Leaders, employees and members of the Union that have sacrificed, worked days and nights for the development and survival of the Union over the years.
Earlier, the special Guest of honour at the event, Honourable member House of Representative representing Apa Agatu Federal constituency Comrade (Pastor) Ojema Ojotu admonished Leaders at all levels to always work towards adding value to the system in order to make remarkable positive impact in the lives of humanity , the country and the organisation.
Honourable Ojema Ojotu who is equally a Trade Unionist and former State Chairman of the Union, joint Public Service Negotiating Council and Honourable commissioner for youth in Benue State before he was elected as a member, House of Representative congratulated the National leadership of the Union and the entire stakeholders in the Union.
