N255m Cars Scandal: NLC Calls For Probe Of Aviation Ministry, Oduah’s Sack

GOV. MUKHTAR YERO OF KADUNA   (L), WITH NLC PRESIDENT, COMRADE ABDULWAHED OMAR,  DURING HIS COURTESY VISIT  IN KADUNA ON WEDNESDAY (PHOTO CREDIT:NAN)
GOV. MUKHTAR YERO OF KADUNA (L), WITH NLC PRESIDENT, COMRADE ABDULWAHED OMAR, DURING HIS COURTESY VISIT IN KADUNA ON WEDNESDAY (PHOTO CREDIT:NAN)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah over the controversial purchase of two special purpose vehicles at the cost of about $1.6m (N255m).

NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, who made the call at the end of the congress’ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna, said the search light should not only be beamed on the aviation ministry, but the minister should also be sacked for the scandal.

Omar said: “NLC NEC condemns the purchase of the bullet proof cars in totality and we are even calling on Mr. President not to only probe the minister on that transaction, but the minister should be sacked. We want her sanctioned. If it means that she needs to be sacked, she should be sacked, inasmuch as that will ensure sanity in the system.”

NLC also flayed federal government’s action on the plight of PHCN workers, adding, “Selling the company without total settlement of the staffers is illegal and a great breach of the laws.”

Omar added that “The privatisation law was very clear. When you are privatizing, all labour issues must be dealt with before handing over such company. And now, the government is trying to have these workers numbering 48,000 souls kicked out and the company given to the new owners without settling them, I think it is impossible. If they want to use the military, then the military should be prepared to deal with all Nigerian workers. We take an injury to one as an injury to all.”

On the lingering strike action by ASUU, Omar said NLC was working towards getting both the varsity lecturers and the federal government to fulfil their respective ends of the bargain in order for the union to call off the strike, adding, “Government has not shown sufficient interest in the implementation of the ASUU-FG agreement”.

1 COMMENT