Buhari regime lacks leadership, political will to do right thing: TUC

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has censured President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for lacking the right leadership and political will to do the right thing as it urges it to be transparent in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, made the call at the 12th Triennial National Delegates Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We urge the government to pay attention to job security, decent work, staff pension and gratuity, condition of service and other social obligations. We want to warn that efforts to hijack the review process by politicians will be resisted,” Mr Olaleye said.

The TUC leader stressed that the country “lacks the right leadership, with required political will to do the right thing.”

On ending gas flaring, Mr Olaleye called on the government and stakeholders to convene a gas summit “to end the national embarrassment.” The TUC chief also urged the government to summon the political will to name and shame sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.

He said it was sad that funds invested in national security had turned out to be a waste of resources, calling on Mr Buhari’s regime to bring an end to the wanton killing of Nigerians across the country.

“We have observed, with concern, the increasing incidents of banditry, kidnapping, robbery in the country. The air, rail and road transport systems are no longer safe. The terrorists are emboldened by the day, making Nigerians more vulnerable. This ugly development keeps investors, especially foreigners away,” explained the TUC president.

He added, “We urge the federal government to, for once summon the political will to name, shame those perpetrating such heinous crimes. because Nigerians want to sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Mr  Olaleye  also warned against the government’s plan to privatise unity schools across the country, describing it as a “malicious agenda.”

Meanwhile, some affiliates of TUC had written to the inspector general of police to stop the union’s conference. The affiliates also obtained a court order to stop the conference from holding over failure to implement the agreement entered into in the last conference on which the affiliate will produce the next president.

The affiliates include the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASAN), Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), among others. 

(NAN)