Labour unions on Thursday in Abuja called on the Federal Government to investigate allegation of fraud in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), made the call at a one-day public lecture with the theme: Cost of Good Governance with Special Focus on the National Assembly.

Already, the Senate had ordered its committees on finance, banking and financial institutions and public accounts to investigate operations of TSA over alleged irregularities.

This was after Sen. Dino Melaye APC-Kogi West), on Wednesday, alleged financial mismanagement in the TSA fund to the tune of N25 billion.

“The TSA is a good idea which all of us are trying to support, we thought the CBN was in charge only to be told that the collection of the money was contracted out.

“I am not sure whether that fact is correct but if it is, I do not think we are practicing what we are preaching; because we are told that ‘Remita,’ the agent contracted to collect money to the Treasury Single Account, has benefited to the tune of N25 billion.

“There is no justification for government to actually use an agent for collecting our revenue.

“Any Federal Government agency that has failed to comply with the policy of remitting funds and taxes into single account should be prosecuted. We do not need an agent to do that for us.”

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba said such money given to a contractor would have been used to fix some of the challenges facing the country; “This is unacceptable.”

He urged the government to quickly dispel the rumour surrounding the issue as a matter of national importance.

He also called on workers to play effective role in the monitoring of political office holders so to hold them accountable to the people.

He said the public lecture was organised to highlight issues that affect the economy; workplace and decent work, social and security issues and unemployment.

“This type of platform is necessary to pool resources together and to provide policy options for government and employers on how best to respond to the challenges.

“At the end of the day, we will come out with a document which will be forwarded to government for policy implementation.”

President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, called on the federal government to continue to take corruption seriously.

“We want to advise Mr President to appoint people that will support his change mantra; otherwise, it will be cat and mouse game.

“Nigerians are in need of jobs, food and social protection and we want Mr President to take these as priority.”

The guest lecturer, Mr Eze Oyekwere, called for the re-adjustment of certain political, public and judicial office holder’s salaries and allowances.

He said the basic salary of members of legislature was reasonable and should not be reduced but the allowances and perks of office should be reduced by a minimum of 40 per cent.

Oyekwere said the review of salaries and emoluments of NASS and other public office holders should be done at more frequent intervals.

“That is every four years is recommended.” (NAN)

•Photo shows President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama

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