FG’s N500bn welfare cash must not be for stomach infrastructure – NLC

The organised labour movement in Nigeria on Sunday said that it will support the proposed conditional cash transfer programme by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Issa Aremu, General Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, stated this in Kaduna during the 40th day “Fidau’’ prayer held for his late wife, Hajia Hamdalat.

Aremu said that the labour would collaborate with the Office of the Vice President as directed by the President.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the proposed conditional cash transfer is a social security program model after of developed nations of the world.

“The Buhari administration deserves commendation for setting aside N500bn in the 2016 Budget currently undergoing the approval of the National Assembly, for direct social transfers.

“The Office of the Vice President as directed by the President, must work with NLC and TUC to realise this objective.

“The conditional, legitimate transfers should serve as the basis for a national comprehensive social security program for Nigerians.

“As a worthy investment in our country’s human infrastructure, not stomach infrastructure, it is as important an investment as physical infrastructure,” Aremu said.

He praised President Buhari` s gesture in ensuring that those who are living on less than a dollar per day were able to access national resources as a matter of right.

Aremu also commended the school feeding programmes of some states government including Kaduna.

NAN reports the remains of Hajia Hamdalat, who died on Dec. 15, 2015, was buried according to Islamic rites.

The prayer was attended by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Maj-Gen. Lawrence Onoja and a former Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General; Maj. – Gen. Zarmani Lekwot. (NAN)

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