The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sharply criticized Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, for his recent comments regarding the shutdown of the National Grid.
Akume had labeled the action by the Organized Labour as a treasonable felony and an act of economic sabotage.
In a statement released late Friday by NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, the Labour organization argued that the real economic saboteurs are those in power who misuse public resources.
The statement highlighted that these individuals, often seen in convoys and wearing flowing Agbada robes, are the true culprits harming Nigeria’s economy.
Earlier, Akume had condemned the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their shutdown of the National Grid on Monday, which was restored on Tuesday.
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He lamented the financial losses incurred by the Federal Government due to this action.
The NLC clarified that their industrial action was a protest for economic justice and fair treatment of Nigerian workers.
They emphasized that their demands are for a new national minimum wage reflective of the current cost of living, a reversal of the electricity tariff hike to N65/kWh, and the abolition of discriminatory electricity consumer bands.
The NLC statement read: “The SGF should recognize the true economic saboteurs: those looting the treasury, diverting funds meant for hospitals and schools, engaging in foreign exchange fraud, and inflating contracts. These are the individuals who commit treasonable felony, not the workers seeking fair treatment.”
The Labour Congress also expressed disappointment in Akume’s remarks, noting that such statements trivialize the legitimate concerns of Nigerian workers.
They pointed out the disconnect between government officials and the everyday struggles of ordinary Nigerians, citing Akume’s assertion that he cannot afford to pay his drivers N100,000 monthly as indicative of this gap.
The NLC urged the government to address their grievances seriously and to work towards resolving the issues rather than exacerbating tensions with dismissive statements.
