Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has stressed that states and local governments can undertake more projects that will impact on the lives of citizens, if they are financially empowered.
The Federal Government can make that possible by reviewing the revenue sharing formula, it added.
The President of TUC, Quadri Olaleye, said this when the leaders of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State chapter, paid him a courtesy visit.
Olaleye said, “There is no significant project that can be undertaken by the states and local governments because of the huge percentage of revenue that is retained by the Federal Government in the existing revenue sharing formula.
“Therefore, it is expedient that the current sharing formula is reviewed to enable the states and local governments meet their obligations to the citizens.”
On the delay in the implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000, he said the time had come for politicians to be on a wage package similar to that of the civil servants.
“The cost of governance in this country is very disturbing and remains the reason for the delays and foot-dragging by the Federal Government over the issue. But we are positive that the minimum wage issue will be resolved soon.
“We have also written to the Central Bank of Nigeria to be cautious in releasing foreign exchange, as many privileged individuals now trade in dollars. They are not being fair to the local industries and the economy,” he added.
Earlier, the Lagos NUJ chairman, Dr Qasim Akinreti, among others, urged the congress to speed up action on its negotiation with the government, for workers to start enjoying the new wage.
