The youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Youth-CAN) has called on the Federal Government to carry out investigation on how state governments spent the bailout funds they received from the government at the centre.

In a goodwill message to Nigerian workers on the occasion of this year’s May Day celebration, Youth-CAN, in a statement issued by its President, Engr. Daniel David Kadzai insisted that state governments should publicly account for how they spend public funds in their trust.

While congratulating the workers, Youth-CAN affirmed “solidarity with the untiring Nigerian workers whose sweat is the lubricant of the Nigerian economy.” It however, regretted that the workers toil and move the engine of the nations’ growth, yet they are victims of government and private sector abuses.

“Abuse in the form of denied or delayed wages, delayed gratuity and pensions. Government policies and corruption have led to a questionable privatisation that destroyed our textile mills, sugar and steel factories to mention a few.

“While saluting the courage and patience of workers in a cash-strapped and inflationary economy, we demand that government should increase salaries for workers, balance the economy as well as check the growing margin between income earners.”

The group expressed sadness over what it viewed as “unpatriotic, incessant, and protracted strike by some sectors of the labour union. Should soldiers and the police go on strike, what will our society turn to? What moral right then should doctors and even lawyers who swore to professional oath embark on strike?

“While commemorating and celebrating workers day, we observe with sadness the relationship between soaring unemployment and the increase in crime and general social vices. The relationship between corruption and unemployment is obvious.”

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