The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has charged federal lawmakers irrespective of party affiliations, to unite as one body and thoroughly investigate the reported case of Nigeria’s $9.3m cash presently in the custody of the South African authorities.
“This, rather than the unnecessary squabbles we saw on the floor of the House of Representatives, is what expect,” Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Comrade Musa Lawal, President and Secretary General of TUC respectively stated in a release on Wednesday.
The labour body commended those lawmakers and other Nigerians who insist that the matter be dispassionately looked into, describing it as scandalous, disgraceful and an appalling issue that no one should venture to play politics with.
“Any contrary posture is likely to send wrong signals to mischief makers to embark on ventures that could do even more damage to our nation’s economy.
“Perhaps more evident than the effects of this instant incident on the economy is its impact on the national image. It is undeniable that our integrity is at stake.
“Over the last two decades, our image in the eyes of the international community has plummeted so badly that Nigerians have been subjected to total, often embarrassing scrutiny everywhere in the world – an ugly situation which the late Information Minister, Prof. Dora Nkemdilim Akunyili – battled to correct through her rebranding project.
“Having expended so much resources on the rebranding project, should the nation’s leaders remain indifferent to things that give us a bad name? Should we be seen as having made Prof. Akunyili, her band of patriots and their likes go through all that trouble for nothing?
“In as much as the Congress would not want to pre-empt the outcome of a thorough probe on $9.3 incident, we cannot help but wish that the money had been spent to diversify the economy! Barely two months ago, we received reports of abysmal failure of candidates in the West African School Certificate (WASC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations, a situation that could well be attributed to poor funding and mismanagement of the educational sector.
“And this is besides the avalanche of other woes threatening to cripple the nation. The list is alarming: mortgage challenge; pensioners’ plight; the army of unemployed youths; security breaches; inept leadership at virtually all levels; etc.
“To say that Nigerians are disturbed by the variety and magnitude of these challenges would be an understatement, and we envisage that the powers that be would formulate a quick, suitable response to them. In this vein, we implore those members of the House who staged a walk-out from Tuesday’s sitting of the hallowed chamber to shelve their grievances and return to their seats. The vagaries of the issue at hand do not call for a walk-out by any member, and will not solve the problem.
“We charge all the lawmakers, as bonafide Nigerians that they are, to be deeply concerned about the affairs of our country. They hold the mandate of the people to defend our national interests, to engender good governance and the rule of law, to ensure that corruption is drastically reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eliminated, and to take all requisite measures to keep the nation’s integrity strong and intact in the eyes of the international community.
“It is good that the Federal Government has owned up to the fact that the money in issue was meant for procurement of arms and ammunitions to fight insurgency. This information should aid the House Committee on Aviation and any other committee that might be assigned to investigate the matter to do so commendably.
“Yes we anticipate that they would do the needful, ask all cogent questions, fish out the corresponding answers and publish their findings. Nigeria’s image must not be rubbished any further,” the TUC stated.