President Goodluck Jonathan has described workers as pivotal to the country’s past, present and future, and as such deserving of his administration’s determination to improve their welfare irrespective of whether they are public or private sector based.
Speaking at the 2013 May Day celebration at the Eagles Square, the president expressed pleasure to be part of the important day of solidarity with workers around the world, and saluted their hard work and daily toil for the progress of the nation.
“Over the years, through your valuable contribution and sacrifice, we have achieved significant reforms in various sectors of our national life, and made remarkable progress as a nation,” the president noted.
“By pioneering organized rallying points for mass interest, these movements strengthened the nationalist struggle for independence, and provided the bedrock for a National labour platform, as today represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“Who can forget the dedication of the Teachers Unions, the perseverance of Association of Civil Servants, the picket lines of the Road Transport Workers, or the resilience of the Textile Workers Union, and indeed the solidarity and sacrifice of so many others, which has enabled the hope we have today as a nation? I salute you all, your service and courage will never be in vain.”
Jonathan described this year’s Labour Day as the Centenary Labour Day, as it coincides with the hundred years of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. He also described it as a commemoration that appropriately affords special reflection and accords special recognition to the historical and contemporary importance of the Labour movement in the national project.
He said he had been informed that a good number of activities involving workers shall be reviewing “100 years of the Nigerian Worker”, with the theme – A Centenary Journey of Service and Struggles. This will include a landmark Symposium, and workers’ Lottery, to be administered by the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).
“I thank the Nigerian Labour Movement for its support and involvement in organizing the Centenary Celebrations. I assure you of my support during the workers’ events,” he further said.
“The Nigerian worker is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our past, present and future. That is why we are leaving no stone unturned towards the practical enhancement of the welfare of all workers in both the private and public sectors, and in facilitating better relations with employers and government.
“Since the advent of this administration, our actions and policies have been geared towards placing the country on the path of sustainable progress, where everyone can better achieve his or her dreams. That is the thrust of our Transformation Agenda.”
Speaking further, Jonathan said his Transformation Agenda is about taking and implementing measures today, in order to give our people a brighter future; and about creating jobs, creating wealth, and ensuring a better deal for Nigerians.
“Central to this Transformation is the creation of a politically stable environment in which economic development activities will flourish. To this end, we are strengthening our democratic institutions, and confronting the challenges facing our country with great determination and firmness.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Labour has been in the forefront of the demand for good governance and increased action against corruption, and these issues are being vigorously tackled on various fronts. Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising from Fuel subsidy fraud, Embezzlement of Pension funds and other serious longstanding malpractices demystified by this administration. I assure you of accelerated and expanded action against all forms of corruption. Given that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour unions, greater attention to peer review action on the part of labour, will be much appreciated.”
Rendering a personal assessment of his tenure, he revealed that economic policies have resulted in significant improvements in economic fundamentals, adding that the economy grew by about 6.6% during 2012 and is set to grow at a similar pace in 2013 according to independent forecasts, which is quite significant by global standards.
“We have further reduced our fiscal deficit in the 2013 budget to 1.81% of GDP, and cut domestic borrowing. We have rebalanced our spending in favour of capital expenditure. The rate of inflation also dropped to single-digit territory at the beginning of this year.
“At a time, many advanced and emerging markets are being downgraded, our sovereign credit ratings have been upgraded. We are however, not unmindful of the fact that the ultimate benefit of these encouraging results must reflect on the lives of the most needy Nigerians. This remains our goal.
“We are also focused on economic inclusion, with articulated strategy targeting the disadvantaged and unemployed in our society with economic opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job programmes. We are also building robust social safety net programmes, targeting pregnant mothers and children in the health sector.
“Through the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) programme, we are supporting talented young entrepreneurs to set up or expand their businesses, and employ others.
“Our port reforms are aimed at ensuring efficiency in the handling of ports and related businesses and achieving 48 hours clearance time for cargo. In the Power sector, the inevitable and painstaking task of correction, construction and consolidation, is on course, with the privatization of our electricity generation and distribution companies boosted with significant foreign investors’ participation and confidence. Our railroads, major airports and federal roads nationwide are also being comprehensively rehabilitated.
“Diversifying the economy away from the oil sector into agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative industries, and other sectors that generate jobs and grow the economy has long being a national goal and today, our Government is actualizing this as another fundamental goal of our reform agenda.
Jonathan thanked the Labour Movement for its support of the Transformation Agenda, assuring that the government is sincere and informed by the need to entrench good governance for the wellbeing of Nigerians.
