The South-East Houses of Assembly Caucus of the Labour Party (LP) has decried the current economic crunch in the country, which it said, is biting hard on Nigerians.
The group made the statement in a Communique made available to newsmen on Sunday in Awka, Anambra State Capital, calling for an immediate solution to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.
They also resolved to raise concerns on some national, regional and other issues of public interest.
Jointly signed by the Caucus Leader, Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego and other members, Kingsley Udemezue, Nigeria Chidinma Mbachu, Nkechi Ogbuefi, Harrison Ogara, Eze Gabriel, Malachy Onyechi, Raymond Ugwu, Fred Ezenwa, and Osita Okoh, the Communique highlighted the LP Lawmakers’ Caucus stance and patriotic recommendations on the issues
.Part of the socio-political issues raised in the 5-point Communique included the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention, the financial autonomy of the State Houses of Assembly, the age-old minimum wage impasse between Governments and organised labour.
Others are the present economic realities and incessant increase of price of commodities; hasty and seemingly politically-motivated incarceration of Bright Ngene, a candidate in a rerun election in Enugu State as well as returning of the ‘hijacked’ Minority Leadership position of the Enugu State House of Assembly to the Labour Party.
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Back call for release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
The Communique read, “We express happiness and gratitude to the Southeast Governors, Senators and House of Representatives members on their recent resolve to interface with the Federal Government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
“This is in line with the position of several Nigerian leaders, including Chief Edwin Clark, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and several others. We see it as a demonstration of leadership and a show of concern for the people. We, therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to douse the current ravaging insecurity in the zone.
“This insecurity has grounded the economy of the region and has occasioned unprecedented loss of human lives as well as destruction of property. His release will act as a healing balm to the region and also encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation. Furthermore, it will separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of kidnapping.
“We also appeal to the Governors of South East Region and indeed the whole nation to work to grant full financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly by the constitution and the Principles of Separation of Powers.
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“This will go a long way in ensuring more robust assemblies, by enhancing their functionalities in the area of lawmaking, oversight and other attendant legislative duties. Following the example of the Federal Government, it will deepen democracy in the states and ensure more quality and effective representation.
“That the Federal Government should ensure the quick resolution of the current minimum wage impasse between the governments, organised private sector and Labour Unions. With the current economic reality and astronomical increment in the prices of goods and services.
“It will be wrong for the government not to hearken to the voice of the NLC/TUC who represent the voice of the suffering masses.
“Nigerians are in agony on account of the current harsh economic situation, and the worst hit appears to be the workers whose income is obviously not enough under current situation, amongst others.”
