A COMMUNITY leader in Adoni Local Government Area, Mr. Paulinus Frank, said government must show more concern for the welfare of workers. “To be frank with you, many people, especially civil servants, borrowed money to feed their families in 2015.

The suffering was enormous. If the situation is not tackled in 2016, crime could increase. We expect government to fulfill its promises and ensure a better life for Nigerians in 2016, irrespective of their political affiliations. Salaries should be paid regularly. There should be stable power and fuel supply, creation of jobs and improvement in security across the state,” he said.

The National Vice President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Eastern Zone, Mrs. Emelia Akpan, also urged government to enhance power supply and keep tariff low, so that the cost of goods and services would be affordable to ordinary Nigerians. “Government should concentrate on technical education, because industries are not ready to hire people who do not have technical competence,” she added.

The State Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Chika Onuegbu, called on government to cut down on wasteful spending rather than reduce workforce, even as he desired the elimination of corruption and inefficiency.

He urged President Buhari to be dogged in the fight against corruption and the eradication of waste in governance through the strengthening of institutions that fight corruption, and adoption of zero tolerance.

He said: “The falling oil price should be an opportunity for government to truly fight corruption, reduce inefficiencies in its operations, pass the PIB into law and stop the brazen theft of Nigeria’s crude oil. If these are done, Nigeria will be better off and would take advantage of the fall in oil revenue to lay a solid foundation for the country.

Government must engage key stakeholders with credible solutions to the current crises. This must be anchored on growing the local refining capacity, such that within the next five years, Nigeria would meet, locally, all her domestic demands for refined petroleum products in the country, and within the next seven years, it will be exporting refined petroleum products.