THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the recovered funds are deployed to critical infrastructure such as roads, power, key industries and other sectors capable of stimulating the economy and development.
Besides, the congress commended the president over the huge recovery, but swiftly called on the Federal Government to establish special courts to try corruption cases.
In a statement signed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the congress commended the government for rendering a transparent account of the recoveries it had made of looted funds.
Comrade Wabba said the quantum of these recoveries had vindicated labour support for the fight against corruption and their insistence that more stringent punishment be prescribed for corruption cases.
The NLC president said: “It has similarly exposed the extent of the rot in the system and why virtually everything in the polity failed to work. We recall that in our national rally against corruption, we made the point that we must look at the bigger picture of national recovery by ensuring that recovered funds be deployed to critical infrastructure such as roads, power, key industries and other sectors capable of stimulating the economy.
“Accordingly, we find it necessary to once again urge the government to deploy these recovered funds to the aforementioned key infrastructure or sectors.”
He, however, pointed out that in addition to strengthening the anti-corruption agencies, there should be establishment of special courts to try corruption case.
Wabba said: “The judiciary has a big role to play by ensuring timely and speedy disposal of corruption cases. Finally, as more recoveries are made, we expect more disclosures on not just the funds but how they are used or to be used.”
He added: “We also call on the government, in spite of overwhelming challenges, not to relent in its recovery drive and its general fight against corruption, as information reveals that the recovered funds so far are just the tip of the iceberg.
“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress believe the importance of the fight against corruption cannot be overstated for a couple of reasons.
“Certainly, we as a people cannot continue to live like this, except we want to be the laughing stock of the rest of the world. Similarly, our teeming youths and the army of the unemployed who look onto their country for their means of livelihood, will not fold their hands while a few privileged individuals corner the national resources.
“We believe for the war against corruption to endure, we as a people must be firm and resolute in our support for good governance and fight against corruption.
“We must entrench the culture of accountability, ensuring that public officers are accountable even out of office.”
