Borrow to fund welfare programme promised by APC, Falana to Buhari

Femi Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on Saturday called on the Nigeria Labour Movement to lead campaign for recovery of stolen wealth and the prosecution of all indicted looters. He made the call at the 2016 Pre-May Day Lecture with the theme, “The fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’’, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). 

According to him, government has continue to take toxic loans from foreign financial institutions to fund the escalating costs of governance. “Under an economy controlled by market forces, the majority of citizens have been denied access to security, welfare and happiness. “In an arrogant manner, the few public officers and their cohorts who have cornered the commonwealth go around freely. “The ongoing investigation into the mega looting of the treasury had shown that if the resources of the nation had been judiciously managed, an effective welfare programme could have been established. “This will run in the interest of the people, although the mega looting of the national treasury is being investigated.’’ 

Falana also noted that electricity tariff had been increased even though there was no improvement in electricity supply. He also said that Nigerians were being forced to pay more for education, health, fuel and other essential social services. “Since the Federal Government is in a position to borrow N600 billion every month to pay salaries, it should also borrow to fund the welfare programme promised by the APC. “It is therefore suggested that the stolen wealth being recovered should be channeled towards the funding of a welfare programme for the people,’’he added. He called on the Federal Government to review the National Minimum Wage as it was long overdue in line with the law. According to him, government is under obligation to provide a living national minimum wage and ensure that condition of work is humane. He said that government must ensure that the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment were safeguarded and not endangered or abuse.