NLC Commends FG On Recovered Loots, Tasks On Infrastructural Development

NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday commended the federal government for the recoveries of public funds which it embarked upon since the commencement of the administration stating that the recent disclosures of loots recovered so far attests to the seriousness and sincerity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on anti-graft war.

In a statement by the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, the Congress urged the federal government to deploy all recovered looted funds to infrastructural development of the country which it said, will be helpful and above all, complement the concerted efforts of the government in strengthening the economy for the benefits of the citizenry.

 “We commend the government for rendering a transparent account of the recoveries it has made of looted funds. The quantum of these recoveries has vindicated our unquantified support for the fight against corruption and our insistence that more stringent punishment be prescribed for corruption cases.

“It has similarly exposed the extent of the rot in the system and why virtually everything in the polity failed to work.

“We recall that in our national rally against corruption, we had made the point that we must look at the bigger picture of national recovery by ensuring that recovered funds be deployed to critical infrastructure such as roads, power, key industries and other sectors capable of stimulating the economy.

“We find it necessary to once again urge the government to deploy these recovered funds to the aforementioned key infrastructure or sectors.

“We also call on the government, in spite of overwhelming challenges, not to relent in its recovery drive and its general fight against corruption, as information reveals that the recovered funds so far are just the tip of the iceberg.

“We at the NLC believe the importance of the fight against corruption cannot be overstated for a couple of reasons. Certainly, we as a people cannot continue to live like this, except we want to be the laughing stock of the rest of the world.

“Similarly, our teeming youth and the army of the unemployed who look on to their country for their means of livelihood will not fold their hands while a few privileged individuals corner the national resources. We believe for the war against corruption to endure, we as a people must be firm and resolute in our support for good governance and fight against corruption.

“We must entrench the culture of accountability, ensuring that public officers are accountable even out of office. In addition to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, we call for the establishment of special courts to try corruption case.

“The judiciary has a big role to play by ensuring timely and speedy disposal of corruption cases.
“Finally, as more recoveries are made, we expect more disclosures on not just the funds but how they are used or to be used”, Wabba said.