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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affilitate unions on Monday in Abuja commenced tactical mobilization for nationwide strike against reported plan by the Federal Government to sale national assets.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, president of (NLC) Comrade Ayuba Wabba, described the proposed decision of the government to dispose of the national assets as reckless.
Wabba, who also inaugurated a committee, alongside the Academic Staff Union Of Universities, ASUU, to engage the Federal Government on the issue, explained that if dialogue with the government to stop the sale of national assets failed, Labour would mobilise its members across the country to embark on a nationwide protest.
Wabba explained that the congress was also considering the option of dragging the Federal Government to court, saying at least 20 lawyers had indicated interest to represent the Congress in court.
Wabba, who spoke on sundry issues said: “The Panama Papers leaks which up till now have not been investigated. In other states, it has been investigated and the veracity of the allegation has also been proved.
He added: “I think because certain individuals who are also now canvassing the sale of our national assets may be reason these issues have not been investigated. We demand that those issues must continue to be investigated.
“Therefore, transferring our commonwealth to the ownership of a few will further impoverish all of us. I think it is high time even for government to try to take stock of all enterprises that have been privatised before now and what is their state. “What comes to mind is the power sector, which was privatised for over three years now. I am sure that all of us will agree that no value was added, instead they have been exploited. “We have been paying bills that cannot be justified. Even to provide meters have nearly been difficult even with the pronouncement by the court that they reverse the tariff, it has certainly not received any attention.”
He explained that it make no sence to sell off national assets: ““We are, therefore, restating our position that we are opposed to the sale of those strategic assets in whatever guise in order to try to address the challenges in the economic.
“We say this very patriotically, and we say this with the best of intention. I think the consequences would be more dangerous if we don’t take necessary steps now to protect those important national assets”.
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