…Bemoans economic decimation of workers
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians not allow anyone to use them as fighting tools while they are busy protecting their own interests.
This is as he said that in spite of the challenges confronting the nation, Nigerians must not lose hope in the country, stressing that Nigeria is bigger than those who preside over its affairs, adding that Nigerians have more common interests that unite them than things that divide them.
Atiku, who stated these in his 2021 May Day solidarity message to the Nigerian workers, also noted that the conditions of the Nigerian workers are worrisome in our ever hostile economic environment, stressing that the situation makes saving and survival almost impossible.
He also lamented what he called the persistent and frightening economic decimation of the Nigerian working class in the face of appalling inflation and declining living standards.
Atiku, who stated these in his
further said that; “even what we call basic food items are unaffordable and we are in a situation where the price of a bag of rice is nearly at par with the value of our minimum wage.
“Increase in the national minimum wage has been matched or neutralised by astronomical inflation that is accelerating at a breathtaking rate almost daily. Even the locally produced foods are prohibitively expensive.”
“The Nigerian workers have never had it so bad. The impacts of the lockdown and worsening inflation have taken their heaviest toll on the working class. The situation is so bad that they are now living from hands to mouth”, Atiku lamented.
The Wazirin Adamawa also said that in the face of low morale and poor motivation, productivity will inevitably take a nose dive, adding that the situation will only create favourable conditions for corruption and aggravate depression and mental health problems among civil servants.
Atiku said; Let me be clear: these challenges of economic survival are not limited to the civil servants alone. They affect the working class at all levels, including artisans and other low income groups that are struggling desperately to put food on the table in the face of declining incomes and rising inflation”.
He suggested that in the face of widespread extreme poverty and declining incomes among the economically vulnerable Nigerians, political office holders should urgently review the costs of governance in order to bring them in line with economic realities and the sorry conditions of average citizens.
In the words of Atiku; “The extravagant lifestyles of elected officials while poverty is decimating the people is a demonstration of insensitivity. We can’t tell the ordinary people to make sacrifices while elected officials are reluctant to take the lead in making those sacrifices. “Elected and appointed officials must at all levels cut down on their extravagant expenditures at the expense of the people.
“Nigeria is bigger than those who preside over our affairs. We have more common interests that unite us than things that divide us. Let us not allow anyone to use us as fighting tools while they are busy protecting their own interests,” he advises.
