Umahi: Calm returns as union intervenes in workers’ protest

Normalcy has returned at the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja, after some members of staff staged a peaceful protest, yesterday, over the decision of the Minister, David Umahi, to lock them out of their offices for late coming.

The protesters, who were heard chanting “Umahi must go,” expressed displeasure over Umahi’s action, which they said did not take into cognisance the fact that they reside in areas outside the city centre.

One of the members of staff, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said: “Most of us live in areas as far as Suleja in Niger State, some in Gwagwalada, Keffi, Abaji, Kuje,Kwali and Kaduna road.

“Matters have been compounded by the fuel subsidy removal. Most times, we have to join some of our friends, who have cars to come to work because of the huge transportation cost.Most of us don’t earn up to N80,000 as salary monthly; how do we feed our families and meet other obligations? We expect the minister to show better understanding of the situation in the country, instead of trying to run this place like Ebonyi State.”
However, some senior officials of the ministry and the union leaders intervened and restored calm.

When our correspondent visited the ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, normal activities appeared to have returned, but some of the staff were seen in clusters discussing the situation.

The Guardiangathered that the Permanent Secretary was planning a meeting with directors and other departmental heads to find a middle ground to avoid a repeat of the incident.

However, the Director of Press Affairs in the ministry, Mrs. Lere Adams, was not available for comment at the time of the visit, as she was said to have stepped out of the ministry 

A witness told The Guardian that the action of the minister took the workers by surprise, as there was no prior notice. The source, who is a cleaner in the ministry, noted the minister just walked in and ordered the security people to lock the gate, thereby preventing people from entering their offices.