10th September, 2015
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has charged members of the National Assembly to discharge their functions with a high sense of responsibility to the people to ensure good governance in the country.
NLC President Ayuba Wabba, gave the charge at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum on Thursday in Abuja.
Wabba said that the recesses since the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly was a waste of time and resources that would have been used to provide legislative backing to the new administration.
“Nigerians have suffered a lot and we have a lot of issues that have to be corrected through laws. Like the issue of corruption, our laws addressing the issue of corruption are so weak.
“Part of the attributes of good governance is for our political leaders to be highly responsible. People seek for election because they have to offer service.
“Therefore, as members of the National Assembly, I think they have a responsibility to Nigerians.”
Wabba noted that tackling corruption and other national challenges demanded the full attention of the National Assembly who should urgently review and strengthen extant laws for good governance.
He described the lengthy recess by the National Assembly members as “unjustifiable’’ and a disservice to the Nigerian people whose interest should be paramount.
“I don’t think it is honourable enough. I don’t think it is justifiable.
“They need to justify this hard money that is being paid from our collective sweat.
“They need to justify those resources being spent on them.
“So, for me, I think it is not a good omen. It’s not a good start for them to actually go on such a very long recess when they know that the government is new.
“And even ministers need to be appointed; they need to do a lot of things and they need to also review laws that can strengthen good governance.”
The NLC president stressed that organised labour would continue to campaign for the entrenchment of credible, responsible and transparent governance by all arms of government.