Fight against corruption: TUC, VON advocate improved workers’ welfare

…Tasks Govt on affordable housing
The leadership of Voice of Nigeria (VON), in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has advocated better welfare package for Nigerian workers as such will help stamp out corruption among public servants and those in the private sector.

The call was made Tuesday in Abuja during an interactive meeting between the management and staff of the VON in collaboration with the TUC.

In his opening speech, the Managing Director, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, while reaffirming his commitment to improve the lives of VON workers, revealed that his priority remains intact as management is at the concluding stage to providing affordable houses to staffers living in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

Mr. Okechukwu, further stated that effort to introduce the ideas is in line with President Mohammed Buhari’s administration policy and aspiration of providing affordable amenities for Nigerians.

According to him, “my effort is to ensure that every staff owns a house according to the campaign promise of President Buhari aspiration and also the way it is done in America where every worker is assured of affordable house”.

He further revealed that his administration will soon deliver new permanent office complex for VON staffs, which has never been achieved before.

“We are now going to have a specious office space for our workers and built with solar energy in case of epileptic power supply and to reduce the diesel consumption,” he explained.

While thanking the staff for their patience on the present leadership, despite economic hardship also assured that his administration is embarking on value chain for affordable housing through mortgage partnership.

“You will get your homes and I know that some of you will get it as junior staff while some will as senior staff but the good thing remains that through mortgage arrangement an affordable percentage will be applied according to your earnings,” he stated.

Mr. Okechukwu further revealed that the VON has acquired about 20 hectares of land in Abuja and about 10 hectares in Lagos which is already under construction.

Meanwhile, leadership of the TUC of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to fight corruption through the provision of affordable houses as well as other welfare packages.

The TUC, President, Alhaji Boboye Kaigama, while attending the interactive section, said that any civil servant without shelter over his head will certainly involve him or herself in sharp practices to make ends meet.

He noted that most of the housing projects embarked on by the government remain white elephant projects due to the fact that the staff with meagre salaries may not meet up with the requirements and the mortgage percentage.