Reduce cost of governance now, TUC tells Buhari

The Trade Union Congress has called on the Federal Government to reduce  the cost of governance to cope with the effect of the  coronavirus pandemic in the country.

In a statement  on Monday by its President, Quadri Olaleye, and Secretary General, Musa-Lawal Origi,  the TUC said it was aware that ministers had donated  part of  their salaries  towards the fight to rid the country of  the killer disease, but said  the move would count for nothing if  the health facilities in the country were not upgraded to international standards.

Read More: 20 New Cases Of Coronavirus In Nigeria. Total Of 343 Cases, 91 Discharged, 10 Deaths

The union also expressed dissatisfaction with the  comment attributed  to a presidential aide, Femi Adesina, that it was not the style of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to brief Nigerians.

The TUC  said, “We heard some ministers gave up half of their salaries for this cause. The President has also confirmed an initial intervention of N15bn as part of national response.

“We wish to make a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to  cut down on the cost of governance and build infrastructure. We need hospitals of international standards and other amenities necessary for our corporate development. We cannot keep wasting money on medical tourism.

“As an organisation,  we were worried when one of the aides to  the  President said addressing Nigerians  was  not the President’s style. That statement is preposterous and most unreasonable to hear at a time the world is facing a pandemic.”

While calling on Nigerians to abide by the directives of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the  TUC described the present situation as a fight between “ life and death”.

It added, “In the light of the prevailing circumstances occasioned by the outbreak of coronavirus and the thousands of lives so far claimed all over the world, we wish to appeal to Nigerians and foreigners in the country to abide by the Federal Government’s lockdown order.

“We all must show some understanding now by complying with all the safety precautions reeled out by the NCDC, Ministry of Health and other professionals.

“We must all realise that the lockdown order was issued because there was a need for it.  We have a life-and-death situation at hand; therefore every necessary step must be taken to ensure the virus does not spread further.”

The body  said  while many Nigerians might escape the deadly coronavirus, they might not escape hunger as a result of government policy  forbidding  them  from going about with their normal business.

The union added, “We commend some philanthropic Nigerians and organisations that have shown love to their fellow humans during this trying time. We urge some that have not extended such hand of fellowship to vulnerable Nigerians in their community to do so now.

“Many Nigerians live on what they make daily. Such people may escape the deadly virus but may not escape the pangs of hunger. Hunger also kills. It is a very difficult time but we can overcome if we are willing to make sacrifices.”