Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC has hailed the release of intervention funds to states by the federal government.
General Secretary of NLC Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said in a statement on Wednesday,”We would want to register our appreciation to the government of the federation for releasing intervention funds to the States. This intervention, no doubt, is a gesture that will go a long way in enabling the States to discharge their obligations to the citizenry.
“It will be recalled that in our submission to the Presidential Transition Committee, we had made the point that Mr. President needed to intervene in resolving the issue of back-log of salaries.
“We are happy that President Muhammadu Buhari has made this happen.
He said further that “We are all the more happy that this intervention applies to all, and not only the States that are owing workers as this would have been tantamount to rewarding profligacy.
“To this extent, the intervention could be appropriately viewed within the prism of legitimacy and normal duty of sharing.
NLC however noted that “It is worth pointing out that it is one thing to disburse funds to the States, it is another thing to ensure that the funds are appropriately applied.
“In light of this, we would wish to invite Mr. President to bring the full weight of his office to bear on the governors in order to ensure that the funds disbursed are applied as of priority to the payment of the full arrears of salaries and pensions owed workers and retirees.
“On our part, we are directing our State Councils across the country to monitor the disbursement and utilization of these funds.
“We assure that a reported case of misapplication will elicit an appropriate response from us.
