RIVERS State chapter of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has called for concerted efforts by all Nigerians in the fight against corruption, lamenting that it has been retarding the nation’s development.

Speaking on the recent report by the House of Representatives probe of Subsidy Fund, Chairman of Rivers TUC, Comrade Chika Onuegbu, argued that development would not be possible with the unprecedented corruption in the country and insisted that corruption was the major challenge to national development.

According to him “the truth is that until we stamp out corruption in our national lives, we will not be able to fight poverty, provide infrastructure and jobs to our teaming youths. My fellow Nigerians, rise up against the cankerworm of corruption to enable the country move forward. Resist any attempt to kill corruption, report and ensure that all those found wanting are prosecuted and punished severely.’’

Comrade Onuegbu who is a former Chairman of the Port Harcourt Zone of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, praised the Chairman of the House Committee,  Mr Farouk Lawan for presenting the report on the “unprecedented” looting of the national treasury through the fuel subsidy fund.

The TUC Chairman, argued that the exposure of the subsidy looters would not have been possible without the anti-fuel subsidy removal strike by the organised labour in January and advised Nigerians who see looting and corruption as a way of life to desist from such unholy behavior.

He urged the Federal Government not to delay in taking action on looters in the country.