NLC threatens Paris Club beneficiary states over fund

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) says it is undertaking tour of states that benefited from the recently released  Paris Club refund to ensure judicious use of the fund.

The NLC National President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this to newsmen in Umuahia recently on the occasion of the foundation laying ceremony for the Labour House in the state at Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

He warned that such states “should be ready to receive NLC” to explain how they used the fund as it affects workers.

He said states that used the fund judiciously have nothing to fear and have been calling labour to come.

Earlier in his speech, Comrade Wabba said the presence of the state Governor at the event was a sign that he is a worker-friendly Governor.

He stressed that workers are human resources and not liabilities, assuring that as partners in progress, Abia workers would contribute to the development of the state.

He further promised that the NLC headquarters would also contribute to the building.

Speaking while performing the foundation laying ceremony for the Labour House, the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu expressed his support for the project with a personal donation of N2 million every month throughout 2017, in addition to a sum of N10 million from the state government.

He observed that the Labour in the state has been cooperating with the government and promised not to take the cooperation received from it for granted.

Ikpeazu reiterated that his government involved the NLC fully in the disbursement of the bail-out fund, stating that he was proud that ICPC commended Abia State for utilising the bailout fund judiciously.

He further explained how he insisted that the Paris Club fund would be used according to what it was made for and promised workers and Abians that in the event of any other inflow of such funds, he would ensure that it was not diverted but deployed to whatever it would be meant for, assuring the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that Abia was ready to account for the funds.

In his speech, Chairman of the occasion and member representing Osisioma, Ugwunagbo, Obingwa Federal Constituency, Hon. Solomon Adaelu, appreciated the worker-friendly disposition of the Governor which he said made the NLC in the State to name the building after the Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, stating that it is a sign that the Governor is a labour-friendly man.

He commended the labour movement in the state for identifying with the successive government in the state.

The Chairman requested all to contribute to the fund raising ceremony.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Abia Council, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, described the day as special as the labour in the state was realising the dream of having a labour secretariat.

He said if realised, it will be the first in the South-East and called on all to assist them.