Labour urges Senate to make minister- nominees declare assets publicly

Stories by ANDREW OJIEZEL

FOLLOWING the clearance of 18 out of the list of ministerial nominees by National Assembly, organized labour has charged on Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and his colleagues to ensure that the ministers are made to declare their assets before they are sworn in.
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba who made the call last week, while speaking with National Daily stated that the need for all the ministers to declare their assets became imperative following the laid down example by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“President Muhammadu Buhari had given good leadership example which every politician that is interested in serving the people must follow. Nigerians and indeed the international communities are interested in knowing what they had before they were sworn in and how much they are worth by the time they will leave that office.”
Likewise, Trade Union Congress (TUC) called on the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, the leadership and all members of National Assembly to ensure that the ministers declare their assets as one of the preconditions before they are given any portfolio.
TUC, in a statement by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Secretary General, Musa Lawal, contended that public declaration of assets would interest Nigerians, as President Muhummadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo had set the ball rolling.
The union lamented that it was saddened by reports of the arrest of the former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, by the British authorities and the amount of money said to be in her possession.
According to TUC, following reports that many other government officers have generously helped themselves with public funds to the detriment of majority of the citizens, there is need to verify the financial and material possessions of the ministerial nominees before they are allowed to assume such high offices.
Congress argued that the time had come for government ministries to be headed by only persons of ascertained and proven integrity in all ramifications.
The union said: “We do not need ministers who are only interested in buying and paying cash for mortgages in choice cities all over the world.
“We are on the same page with other well-meaning Nigerians, who feel that the President has already taken too long to form a formidable team. But a few more days should suffice for the Senate and the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, to investigate the nature, value and locations of declared assets.