Dan Nwanyanwu, the national chairman of the Zenith Labor Party (ZLP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently reduce the cost of governance to alleviate the economic hardships faced by Nigerian workers, POLITICS NIGERIA reported.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Nwanyanwu urged the president to sign an executive order to cut the earnings of elected officials and government appointees by 50% to 80%.
Nwanyanwu highlighted the stark disparity between the lavish earnings of a few and the economic struggles of the masses.
He emphasized that those aspiring to serve as lawmakers should have their own means of transportation and accommodation in Abuja, rather than relying on government provisions.
"Many Nigerians are willing to serve without such costly provisions," Nwanyanwu stated, underscoring the urgency of addressing workers' needs and reducing governmental expenses to foster a more equitable and sustainable economic environment.
Reflecting on historical precedents, Nwanyanwu recalled measures taken by former military President Ibrahim Babangida to ease transportation difficulties and mitigate the impact of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP).
During Babangida's tenure, the government provided 100 buses to the Nigerian labor force and allocated 100 million naira to key states.
These initiatives were distributed across the federation to ease transportation difficulties and alleviate economic pressures on workers.
Nwanyanwu also highlighted the mass housing projects initiated by former President Shehu Shagari, which benefited millions of civil servants and workers nationwide.
He stressed that workers' needs extend beyond salary increases to include housing, education, health, and transportation.
He urged labor leaders to consider these aspects in their negotiations.
In his appeal to President Tinubu, Nwanyanwu called for the provision of buses for workers at the local level, emphasizing the need to avoid another strike by organized labor.
He noted that addressing these critical areas would not only improve the quality of life for Nigerian workers but also contribute to the overall stability and growth of the nation's economy.