The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has described the Federal Government’s approval for the construction of a rail line linking Nigeria to the Niger Republic as an insult and waste of scarce resources.
In a statement signed by TUC President, Quadri Olaleye and Secretary-General Musa-lawal Ozigi, the TUC said “by this latest move it has indeed become obvious to the world that the managers of our country have ulterior and sinister motives to ruin this country”.
Congress is not averse to the development; pointing out that while the construction of rail line to Kano, Katsina, and Dutse is understandable; it questioned the extension to the Niger Republic.
“Why should we borrow from the IMF, World Bank, and China to build a rail line to the 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; the right to electricity is regarded as a taboo for an average citizen, roads have become death traps and our health facilities lack malaria drugs? …”
The Trade Union Congress said the sum of $1.96billion earmarked for the construction is approximately N800billion and enough to do a lot in the Nigerian economy.
The statement said the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Nigeria to the world, where the Federal Government was begging for ventilators and nose masks with the education sector in shambles.
The TUC said according to a report from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total debt rose to $79.5 billion which is N28.63 trillion as of the first quarter of 2020.
The TUC wondered why the FG should embark on such a wasteful gesture at a time when its debt profile has continued to climb astronomically.
The Congress queried the rationale expressing its disappointment in a string of disturbing rhetorical questions.
“…Debt servicing gulps trillions of naira yearly. News had it 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? 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! What is Nigeria paying for? Or, could this be another way of looting our commonwealth in preparation for the 2023 electioneering campaign? The whole thing is becoming more confusing…’
Editor: Omor Bazuaye
