WABBA: NLC WOULD NOT DABBLE INTO PROJECTS LIKE KRISTON LALLY ANYMORE

the issue is almost concluded.

Our assurance is that no worker that subscribed into the project would lose his money.

We are trying to give confidence to Nigerian workers and to our structures, where there challenges or they were issues with the credibility of the process? This is what we want to establish because if we have such challenge, it is good to do an in-depth analysis to find out what the issues are, who are those involved, and how do we mitigate or eliminate such in the future. So we would set up an independent committee to do a thorough audit of the process and arrive at some recommendations.

But that may not in itself address the issue of the subscribers whose deposits are hanging. When the man was indisposed, we started a process of garnishing the account, to be sure that the monies are returned to them. The subscribers are known, they made payment through accounts, and we have their database.

We are aware that two accounts were involved: the actual Kriston Lally- NLC account where the former President and the guy are signatories to, and also another account solely operated by Kriston Lally. The security agencies have said he is fully responsible for that. The bulk of the money which was paid into the joint account, is safe, and that is the one that would be refunded once the process is sorted out. For the other account which he is the sole signatory too, has also been frozen.

So would refunds be made sooner rather than later?

Certainly, sooner than later. The development is a lesson for us, we have taken a clear decision that we would focus on issues that border on welfare and well being of workers, engaging against policies that we think are detrimental to the interest of the working class. We would not dabble into anything else where this kind of challenges would arise, because in business, you have to have some expertise. So we would limit ourselves to the core issues of the labour movement.

I make good to say we would not relent until we resolve the issue. The beauty of it is also that if there is any part where any individual or group of persons are found wanting from the investigations, the law would take its course to ensure people are brought to book.

There is also another housing project which the NLC and TUC got involved in: Good Homes. What is the level of progress on that, and are there monitoring mechanisms to ensure that it doesn’t go the way of Kriston Lally?

That project is not NLC and TUC alone. President Jonathan gave out land in more than three districts for the project, so there is an existing lease agreement between FCDA signed by the Minister and good homes development company.

That land cannot be used for any other purpose except this housing arrangement. Workers subscribed into it. What stalled the Kriston Lally project is that the issue of land is not within our purview, that when we require land, we can get it without hurdle.

The beauty of the Good Homes project is that the land is already available, so once a worker subscribes, he would know his land, and an allocation letter would be provided. Secondly there is oversight being done by the FCDA to ensure the land is used for the purpose for which it was intended.

Due to the experience of the other project, the NLC and TUC set up a joint committee to monitor the project and ensure that the quality and terms of the agreements are not compromised. The fact is that the issue of the land in any housing project in Abuja is hard, but since land is certain in this one, we are monitoring to be sure the land cannot be given to people outside Nigerian workers because they are prime areas. So we advise workers to make their initial commitments and then over time look at the progress of work before making more commitments.

One of the clauses in the agreement is that even if the project fails, the land belongs to Nigerian workers. I am sure that this would help avert what happened in the case of Kriston Lally from repeating itself.

We also have a workers’ village in Ado Kasa in Nasarawa state. Workers subscribed to it and have gotten their letters, we have put the necessary identification in terms of plot number and beacon. What is remaining is the access road for which we have fully paid for, the subscribers are allowed to build according to the prototype provided. That is a success, but like I said, ultimately we would no longer dabble into all of these, if we have a need for that, we would look at better ways using independent structures instead of muddling it up with our own day to day administration. The work here is demanding, so to do business and attend to welfare of workers, would be near impossible. If we want to, it has to be with clear demarcation between both.

Now that the Naira has been devalued such that the minimum wage does not fall into the required global standard of $100 minimum, are we expecting a clamour for a review of the minimum wage?

Yes, but first we are taking a holistic look at the economy, and the fact that the purchasing power of the worker has been eroded. At the last meeting of the Central Working Committee, we constituted a team of experts both within and outside in the field of economy even from the academia, to look at an alternative agenda to try to address the challenges in the economy. It is not just about the minimum wage, but also about how to cushion the effects of the economy on the workers. With the devaluation of our currency, even the ordinary person on the street is affected because we are an economy that essentially depends on importation. We do not produce much, yet everything we need or require is imported. There would be a lot of challenges in the coming months, so we should be proactive in putting our cards before the relevant agencies of government.

It is also a law that the minimum wage be reviewed after five years, but we would consider necessary indices because to have meaningful engagement and end up with a figure that is feasible, we have to do our homework.

We need to be on the same page with Nigerian citizens so that when we are making demands, they would also support us.

Asides that, we have also taken on board the lack of payment of salaries across some states and local governments. We have constituted a team of our comrades to the six geographical zones to identify the states, and we would sensitize the workers so people would not hide under the guise of election year. All the worker understands is that he has worked for his wages and should therefore get his reward now, not after.

In some of the states, we have information that arrears are running into three or four months and that is not healthy because when there is change of government in such places, the new person coming in also has the excuse that he is not actually the defaulter. He will ask for some time to settle down first and it will become a major labour issue.

We are also aware of challenges of pensioners and we are including this on the mandate for the economic team. When people retire, what they are expecting is not only not forthcoming, but the quantum has been substantially reduced.

This matter includes military pensioners, some up to a year, some up to two years are not paid. This is the time when they need their pension most, they are feeble as they have put in their best in the service of the country.

What are you doing about the non payment of salaries in the private sector?

I just made example with the public service employees. The committee is all encompassing for both public and private sector. It will also look at outsourcing and the issue of casualisation.