Protest As Works Minister Locks Out Staff For Lateness

Staff of the Federal Ministry of Works yesterday protested as the minister of works, Engr David Umahi, locked out the workers for coming late to work.

The angry members of staff chanted anti-Umahi songs and demanded that he must go.

The workers said their residences were far as such could not easily report for duty.

One of the senior officials, who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, explained that the major reason for their coming late to work was due to the far distances they cover to come to work.

He said some of them live as far as Gwagwalada, Keffi, Abaji, Kuje, Kwali, Kaduna Road and sometimes wait for colleagues who have cars before they can come to the office.

The official said they adopt such measures to reduce the cost of transportation for them.

He said, “Some of us as senior officials earn between N80, 000 and N100,000 per month and we have families. By the time you subtract both transport and other expenses you have nothing left with you. So, we have to seek alternatives, such as waiting for colleagues with vehicles to come to work.”

The minister later allowed them in but the workers declined, insisting that he must first address them. They said Umahi ought to have warned or issued circular to inform them before taking the drastic measures.