We are suffering - Civil servants to Fed Govt

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has moved against the Federal Government over the continued scarcity of fuel and naira notes, stating that workers are worst hit.

They are worried that the situation is getting out of hand.

Its President, Tommy Okon, who expressed Nigerians’ concerns and pains, said the government’s economic advisers had failed.

Speaking to reporters in Lagos, Okon, however, said a protest at this period would only provide an excuse for the government to postpone the elections.

He said if the situation was not addressed quickly, many civil servants might not be able to go to work because they could not afford the fare to work.

The ASCSN chief condemned the government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for not understanding the policy which has made life difficult for workers.

He expressed optimism that things could be better when the right leadership took over.

He added that Nigerians should ensure that they got their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect credible leaders that would move the country forward.

“Nigeria is like a vehicle without an engine, and it is not yet uhuru for the incoming administration, because the next president is going to face the issues he never bargained for.

“We, in the labour movement, don’t want to take chances because if we lead a protest, the government will cash in on that and say the economy is not conducive for the conduct of elections. We are very conscious of it. We are applying a scientific approach to industrial relations.

“Our PVC is our weapon and for any government that is anti-worker would be voted out, irrespective of religion, political affiliation, but conscious of someone who has the capacity, competency, capability and contents to deliver.

“Any government that is coming that will not show enormous concern for the workers should be ready to face the wrath of the workers. We are only keeping silent because we want this government to leave in peace so that nobody will accuse the labour union of sabotaging the government to achieve their plans to stop the conduct of elections,” he said.