JUST IN: SSANU to FG; Invest recovered loot in the economy.

SENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has called on the Federal Government to make public all recovered money from politicians and public office holders and inject same into the economy to help it out of recession.

SSANU has also condemned hate speeches, threat for secession and drumbeat of war in some sections of the country and called on workers to unite against poverty, deprivation and exploitation by the elite or ruling class.

The Association in a communiqué signed by its National President, Comrade Samson Chijioke Ugwoke and the National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Salaam Abdussobur after its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting which held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said the country will gain more by staying together than going separate ways.

SSANU frowned at the precarious and pitiable state of the Nigerian worker in the face of present economic realities and called for urgent fixing of the economy.

The communiqué read in part: “NEC noted that the costs of food and basic essentials for existence are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker, while building materials have become so exorbitant that the common man cannot afford a decent home. Government should plough back recovered loots into the economy

“NEC advises Government to, for purposes of transparency and accountability, announce the various billions of Naira recovered from alleged looters and immediately plough back these huge amounts into the Nigerian economy, as keeping these monies in reserve or as savings while Nigerians starve, makes no meaning.

“SSANU further advises Government to promote policies that will attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries to save the masses these bleak situations. SSANU further advises Government to urgently negotiate with the Nigeria Labour Congress for review of the National Minimum Wage and ensure Nigerians are given living wages.

“NEC in Session, demands as a matter of urgency, implementation of the payment of Earned Allowances being owed members of SSANU arising from the SSANU/ FGN 2009 Agreement as the continued delay is a breach of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a dishonorable act by Government.

“NEC further noted that while the members of the ruling class have other places and countries to run to, the average Nigerian does not. NEC therefore urges Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodder by the elite class who promote all these divisions for personal, selfish and exploitative ends.”

“Observing, however, that there are imbalances and inequalities in the Nigerian system, which need urgent redress, NEC urges the Nigerian people to promote dialogue with a view to deepening the National conversation, instead of violence which would bring along with it, grave consequences and repercussions.”