The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to refund money spent by state governments on maintenance of federal roads in the states.
The NLC said this would enable the states to settle outstanding workers’ salaries and allowances.
At least 27 out of the 36 states in the country are unable to pay workers’ salaries due to economic challenges.
While the federal government last year gave a N713.7billion bailout to the states for the payment of workers’ salaries and recently approved a conditional N90billion budget support loan for states, some of the state governors have demanded a refund of several billions of naira they have spent on maintenance of federal roads and other federal infrastructures in their states to boost their finances.
Backing the demand by some state governors for a refund, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, in a statement issued in Abuja Thursday, said that the federal government should verify such claims and make refund to the states.
Comrade Wabba added that such intervention will help in ensuring salaries and pensions are regularly paid by state governments.
On the new foreign exchange policy of the Central Bank, the labour leader said what the policy implies is that Nigerians will be forced to pay higher prices for goods and services without commensurate increase in salaries.
