For Nigerian workers,
yesterday was a day of celebration of their successes and assessment of their
challenges in the past year. But for President Goodluck Jonathan, the day also
begged for the truth to be told, if we must move forward as a nation.
yesterday was a day of celebration of their successes and assessment of their
challenges in the past year. But for President Goodluck Jonathan, the day also
begged for the truth to be told, if we must move forward as a nation.
Speaking at the
centenary May Day 2013 celebration at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the president
called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
to assist his government in its fight against corruption by purging the
nation’s workforce of corrupt officials.
centenary May Day 2013 celebration at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the president
called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
to assist his government in its fight against corruption by purging the
nation’s workforce of corrupt officials.
He looked straight
into the faces of the workers and their leaders and declared: “Some of the
perpetrators of corruption and corrupt practices in the country are members of
the labour union.”
into the faces of the workers and their leaders and declared: “Some of the
perpetrators of corruption and corrupt practices in the country are members of
the labour union.”
Continuing, he said:
“Labour has been in the forefront for the demand of good governance and
increases action against corruption and these issues are being vigorously
tackled from various fronts. Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising
from petroleum subsidy fraud, embezzlement of pension fund and other serious
long-standing malpractices demystified by this administration. Given that some of
these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater
attention to peer review action on the part of labour will be much more
appreciated,” he said.
“Labour has been in the forefront for the demand of good governance and
increases action against corruption and these issues are being vigorously
tackled from various fronts. Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising
from petroleum subsidy fraud, embezzlement of pension fund and other serious
long-standing malpractices demystified by this administration. Given that some of
these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater
attention to peer review action on the part of labour will be much more
appreciated,” he said.
The president also
spoke on the economic policies of the present administration, saying that there
has been a significant improvement in the economic sector.
spoke on the economic policies of the present administration, saying that there
has been a significant improvement in the economic sector.
He said: “Our economy
grew by about 6.6 per cent last year and it is set to grow at a similar pace
this year. Considering the global economic recession, the projected growth of
6.6 is quite significant. We have further reduced our fiscal deficit in the
2012 budget to 1.8 percent of GDP and cut domestic borrowing.
grew by about 6.6 per cent last year and it is set to grow at a similar pace
this year. Considering the global economic recession, the projected growth of
6.6 is quite significant. We have further reduced our fiscal deficit in the
2012 budget to 1.8 percent of GDP and cut domestic borrowing.
“We have rebalanced
our spending in favour of capital expenditure, the rate of inflation also
dropped to a single digit territory at the beginning of this year at a time
many advanced and emerging markets are being downgraded. Our sovereign credit
rating has been upgraded.”
our spending in favour of capital expenditure, the rate of inflation also
dropped to a single digit territory at the beginning of this year at a time
many advanced and emerging markets are being downgraded. Our sovereign credit
rating has been upgraded.”
He said the government
was not unmindful of the fact that the ultimate benefit of the current economic
results must reflect in the lives of the citizens, stressing, “I agree totally
that until we create jobs, until Nigerians can wake up and find food to eat,
until sick Nigerians can walk to the hospitals and get treatment, the economic
indices may not mean much to us.”
was not unmindful of the fact that the ultimate benefit of the current economic
results must reflect in the lives of the citizens, stressing, “I agree totally
that until we create jobs, until Nigerians can wake up and find food to eat,
until sick Nigerians can walk to the hospitals and get treatment, the economic
indices may not mean much to us.”
He said his government
was focused on economic inclusion with articulated strategy that targets the
disadvantaged and unemployed in the society with economic opportunities in
agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job programmes.
was focused on economic inclusion with articulated strategy that targets the
disadvantaged and unemployed in the society with economic opportunities in
agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job programmes.
Jonathan said the
government was building robust safety nets programmes that target pregnant
mothers and children in the health sector through the YouWin programme, adding
that government was also supporting talented young men and women to set up their
business so that they will be able to employ others.
government was building robust safety nets programmes that target pregnant
mothers and children in the health sector through the YouWin programme, adding
that government was also supporting talented young men and women to set up their
business so that they will be able to employ others.
“We want to create our
future billionaires, our industrial giants through that programme. Our port
reforms are ensuring efficiency in the handling of ports and related business
and achieving 48 hours time clearance for cargoes.”
future billionaires, our industrial giants through that programme. Our port
reforms are ensuring efficiency in the handling of ports and related business
and achieving 48 hours time clearance for cargoes.”
On the transformation
of the power sector, Jonathan said: “The inevitable and painstaking task of
correction, construction and consolidation is on course with the privatization
of our electricity generation and distribution companies and, of course, you
witnessed.”
of the power sector, Jonathan said: “The inevitable and painstaking task of
correction, construction and consolidation is on course with the privatization
of our electricity generation and distribution companies and, of course, you
witnessed.”
He said that with that
window, the power sector would begin to grow rapidly, adding that the rail,
airports and major roads are being attended to.
window, the power sector would begin to grow rapidly, adding that the rail,
airports and major roads are being attended to.
The president said the
government was working on diversifying the economy away from the oil sector to
agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative industry and other sectors of the
nation’s economy that would generate jobs and grow the economy.
government was working on diversifying the economy away from the oil sector to
agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative industry and other sectors of the
nation’s economy that would generate jobs and grow the economy.
He commended the
labour movement for its contributions to the development of the country, saying
that the federal government would continue to associate with the organised
labour.
labour movement for its contributions to the development of the country, saying
that the federal government would continue to associate with the organised
labour.
“The Nigerian worker
is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our past, our
present and our future. That is why we are leaving no stone unturned towards
the practical enhancement of the welfare of all workers in both the private and
public sector and in facilitating better relations with employers and
government.
is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our past, our
present and our future. That is why we are leaving no stone unturned towards
the practical enhancement of the welfare of all workers in both the private and
public sector and in facilitating better relations with employers and
government.
“Since the advent of
this administration, our actions and policies have been geared towards placing
the country on the path of sustainable progress where everyone can better
achieve his or her dream. That is the thrust of our transformation agenda.”
this administration, our actions and policies have been geared towards placing
the country on the path of sustainable progress where everyone can better
achieve his or her dream. That is the thrust of our transformation agenda.”
Source:
Blueprint
Blueprint
