The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has praised the Federal Government on its directives to the states to account for the previous Paris Club refund released to them before being given the last tranche.

Speaking with The Nation, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said: “Clearly speaking, it is a step in the right direction and it should not end there.

“We should know the outcome and how many states have been able to meet up with that requirement.We have said so clearly. If you want to entrench the principle of good governance, accountability and transparency must be our watchword.

“The Federal Government’s directives on the Paris Club refund should not just end with mere words but with action, as a lot of stories of how the other tranches have been utilised are circulating”.

He said the ICPC report on the utilisation of the first tranche of bail-out fund should be revisited and implemented to the letter.

Wabba also noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that how some people used the bail-out to buy hotels and also transferred part of it to Bureau de change.

“We cannot sweep those issues under the carpet and think that the issue of corruption and diversion of public funds will be addressed.

“That is clearly our challenge in this country, and not lack of resources. The truth is that this country has enormous resources, but they are diverted.

“The fight against corruption cannot be limited to the centre. It must go to the hinterland, to the local government, the states and even the private sector,” Wabba said.

He added that the government’s directive should not just end as a statement, but should be followed up to its logical conclusion.

“There should be action and we should be able to know those states that have done such things,’’ he said.