Rail Construction To Link Niger Republic: Managers Of Nigeria Have Sinister, Ulterior Motives – TUC
By UDO ONYEKA
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC has described the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of a rail line linking Nigeria to Niger Republic as unnecessary and waste of the country’s scarce resources.
The TUC made this known in a statement made avaliable to NewsBusiness and signed by its President, Comrade Quadri A. Olaleye and Secretary General, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi.
TUC said this latest move by the Federal Government has indeed shown the world that the managers of our country have ulterior and sinister motives – to ruin this country.
” The Congress is not averse to development, constructing rail lines to Kano, Katsina and Dutse is understandable; but why extend it to Niger Republic? Why should we borrow from the IMF, World Bank and China to build a rail line to Niger Republic? Is there something this government is not telling us?
” How could the Federal Government come up with such an idea in a country where potable water has become a luxury; right to electricity is regarded as a taboo for an average citizen, roads have become death traps and our health facilities lack malaria drugs”, TUC said.
The workers union said $1.96 billion is alot of money and can do so much in the economy.
TUC said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Nigeria to the world, adding ” the federal government was begging for ventilators and nose masks! Our education sector is in shambles. Agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over a decade ago are yet to be met. We are celebrating six decades of independence yet Ghana, South Africa, etc. are threatening and treating Nigerians in their countries with disdain. It hurts.
” According to a report from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total debt rose to $79.5 billion (N28.63 trillion as of the first quarter of 2020). Debt servicing gulps trillions of naira yearly. News had that Nigeria’s sovereignty is at stake if the country fails to pay China! How could the Federal Executive Council (FEC) accept such now? Or, has the Niger Republic annexed Nigeria”, TUC queried.
The TUC said the Government has not completed the road that connects Nigeria with other Western African countries yet the President Buhari-led administration approves construction of a rail line to Niger.
According to TUC there are many roads seeking attention throughout the country. “The Lagos- Ibadan expressway services every vehicle coming into Lagos, including the ones from Kano, Katsina and Dutse; why has it not been completed? The Niger Delta that lays the golden egg does not have good roads and potable water. They neither fish in their water nor go to the farm because of oil spillage.
” All we are saying is that Charity begins at home! This is not the time for profligacy and licentious spending; the government must manage our lean purse prudently.
“We must set our priorities right because Nigeria is becoming a laughing stock to the whole world. Tinkering with such ideas at a time the electricity tariff has been increased and fuel price hiked is indeed suicidal. Nigeria should stop playing big brother at the expense of Nigerians. This government is not being fair to Nigerians”, TUC said.
