The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has cautioned the Federal Government against getting loans from China.
The union maintained that Nigeria must be circumspect, even as it noted some African countries have rejected China’s loan offers because of the conditionality attached.
Insisting that this is not the time to spend on frivolities, it argued that Nigerians are yet to see what was done with the collected loans, repatriated money, donations and grants.
In a statement by TUC President and Secretary, Quadri Olaleye, and Musa-Lawal Ozigi, respectively, to mark the Eid-El-Fitr, they urged that Nigeria should emulate other countries to reject the offer.
They equally urged the Federal and states governments to rise up to the task of rebuilding the economy by tackling the issues of tribalism, nepotism, corruption, and religious intolerance that plague the country.
While urging them to use the season to show love to one another now more than ever before, the union enjoined Muslims to have a sober reflection especially on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not only claimed lives but also collapsed the world economy.
TUC said: “The COVID-19 was just an additional plague. If we miss the opportunity of redirecting our affairs now we may never get it right again.
“It is not a curse. As a people we must all submit ourselves to the will of the Almighty God, knowing that He alone can help us to overcome the present challenges no matter how thorny or weighty they may appear at the moment.”
To forge ahead, it urged Nigerians to maintain peace, a corruption-free society and love one another irrespective of religious affinities.
“We must imbibe the live-and-let-live attitude rather than denying other people their rights. We must not allow corruption, greed and avarice that have brought both the economy and the average Nigerian to their knees to continue. It is ungodly.
“We must not wear the garb of sainthood during fasting periods and manifest the contrary soon after. It is called hypocrisy,” the statement said.
