TUC Questions Federal Government’s N70,000 Transport Allowance

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has turned down the Federal Government’s plan to give public servants a monthly transport allowance of N70,000, saying the proposal may not provide meaningful relief to workers.

TUC President Festus Osifo said the union was unconvinced that the allowance would improve employees’ financial situation. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, he pointed to the 2023 wage award, which he said many federal workers never received.

Osifo argued that the previous experience had raised doubts about whether the new support would reach workers and address their needs. He added that a permanent salary increase would be more dependable, as workers would receive it regularly at the end of each month.

“We sincerely think that what has been put on the table will not address the plight of workers because the one they put on the table in 2023, it did not work,” he said.

“But when it’s infusing salary as increment, the salary will come at the end of every month. So it’s just a matter of time.”

Personally, I would question why the Federal Government is introducing a N70,000 transport allowance now. Why was this support not provided earlier, or increased at the beginning of the year? With an election approaching, the timing may lead people to wonder whether the allowance is intended to win voters’ favour. Government support should be guided by people’s needs, not by expectations of political support in return.