NLC kicks against continental free trade agreement

• Urges Buhari not to sign document

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement Policy will cripple
the economy and leave more Nigerians unemployed, the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) has warned.

The agreement, it said, will expose the economy to unbridled
foreign intervention, allowing many foreign companies to operate in
the country without employing Nigerians.

The congress asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign the
policy document by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment,
saying it lacks the inputs of relevant stakeholders, including
Organised Labour.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement argued
proponents of the document were supposed to consult stakeholders,
including Labour and the local business community because of its
likely implication on the economy.

Wabba dismissed the policy document as extremely dangerous and
radioactive neo-liberal policy initiative, warning it will have a
creeping effect on the economy if it comes to effect.

He said: “This policy initiative, for instance, will make it
possible for a foreign airline to directly do local scheduled
flights without employing Nigerians.

“We are more worried by the probable outcome of this policy
initiative if it is given life because of its crippling effect on
the local businesses and attendant effects on jobs.

“We find it confounding at a time nations, including the United
States are resorting to protectionism in defence of their local
businesses and protection of jobs, we have the audacity to want to
fling open our doors, windows and roof tops.”

He added: “We have no doubt that this policy initiative will
spell the death knell of the Nigerian economy.

“Accordingly, we urge Mr. President not to sign this agreement
either in Kigali or anywhere.

“We believe our national interest is at stake and nothing should
be done to compromise this.”

Wabba explained further: “The African Continental Free Trade
Agreement rather than unite Africa will only divide it the
more.

“Rather than enrich Africa, it will only pauperise it the more.
Those pulling the strings of this radioactive agreement are
somewhere, well concealed and protected in the metropolis of the
world. They have had this all thought-out and profits computed well
ahead.

“There is no doubt we have need of foreign investment. But in
our view, such investment should not be a poisoned chalice. So,
once again, we urge Mr. President not to sign the agreement.”

• Urges Buhari not to sign document

The African Continental Free Trade Agreement Policy will cripple
the economy and leave more Nigerians unemployed, the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) has warned.

The agreement, it said, will expose the economy to unbridled
foreign intervention, allowing many foreign companies to operate in
the country without employing Nigerians.

The congress asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign the
policy document by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment,
saying it lacks the inputs of relevant stakeholders, including
Organised Labour.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in a statement argued
proponents of the document were supposed to consult stakeholders,
including Labour and the local business community because of its
likely implication on the economy.

Wabba dismissed the policy document as extremely dangerous and
radioactive neo-liberal policy initiative, warning it will have a
creeping effect on the economy if it comes to effect.

He said: “This policy initiative, for instance, will make it
possible for a foreign airline to directly do local scheduled
flights without employing Nigerians.

“We are more worried by the probable outcome of this policy
initiative if it is given life because of its crippling effect on
the local businesses and attendant effects on jobs.

“We find it confounding at a time nations, including the United
States are resorting to protectionism in defence of their local
businesses and protection of jobs, we have the audacity to want to
fling open our doors, windows and roof tops.”

He added: “We have no doubt that this policy initiative will
spell the death knell of the Nigerian economy.

“Accordingly, we urge Mr. President not to sign this agreement
either in Kigali or anywhere.

“We believe our national interest is at stake and nothing should
be done to compromise this.”

Wabba explained further: “The African Continental Free Trade
Agreement rather than unite Africa will only divide it the
more.

“Rather than enrich Africa, it will only pauperise it the more.
Those pulling the strings of this radioactive agreement are
somewhere, well concealed and protected in the metropolis of the
world. They have had this all thought-out and profits computed well
ahead.

“There is no doubt we have need of foreign investment. But in
our view, such investment should not be a poisoned chalice. So,
once again, we urge Mr. President not to sign the agreement.”