The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council has described the N10billion loan for security infrastructural development in Kano as a misplaced priority in the face of over N27billion outstanding retirees’ benefits.
It will be recalled that the Kano House of Assembly on Wednesday approved Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s loan request of N10bn for the installation of CCTV across the state.
However,according to a statement signed by NLC Kano branch Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir and Acting Secretary, Hussaini Budah, a copy of which was made available to pressmen on Friday in Kano,s said that this was uncalled for compared with the huge amount of pension and gratuity yet to be paid.
“While the Congress is not in any way against improving the security of lives and properties or its Citizens which is one of the sole responsibilities of the Government, we are of the opinion that, in the face of over N27billion outstanding retirees benefits, such a step amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul,” it said.
Comrade Minjibir appealed to the state government to secure the loan to offset the huge workers’ gratuities that are outstanding.
He said that “Indeed, pensioners and workers or Kano State will never forget any administration that settles this menace once and for all.
“It is based on the aforementioned that we wish to appeal to His Excellency the Executive Governor to make a case to the State House of Assembly for their assent to secure another loan to settle the outstanding Gratuity and other retirees’ benefits in the best interest of justice and humanitarian consideration. In fact, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.’’
He then “acknowledged the giant strides by the Government in providing security to the citizens, we wish to argue that providing CCTV in the name of improving security is curative, while payment of gratuity and other retirees benefits is preventive, taking into consideration the multiplier effects.’’
The union said though, the Congress is not unaware that, the liability was inherited by the incumbent Government from the previous administrations since the commencement of the contributory pension scheme in 2007 largely due to non-remittance of 17% monthly contributions by some agencies of government, it is time for the incumbent administration to do the right thing in order to make a difference in the spirit of its ‘’change mantra’’.
‘’We are hopeful and optimistic that His Excellency would consider this our ‘save our souls’ submission in view of the multiple advantages such a positive step by the Government will provide,’’ the NLC appealed.
