Tension arose at the Ministry of Works in Abuja on Thursday when protesting civil servants disrupted operations in response to Minister Dave Umahi’s action of barring over 300 late-arriving staff and directors from entering the premises.
The public employees, expressing their discontent, also confined the minister to his office, demanding an apology from him.
Earlier in the day, the minister, who arrived at 9:30 a.m., reportedly denied access to late-coming workers for more than four hours. However, when the gates were finally opened, the workers, representing both the Housing and Works ministries, chose not to enter but instead launched an unplanned protest, blocking the entrance gates.
Our correspondent learned that they also obstructed access in and out of the building, thereby preventing the minister from leaving his office to welcome Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who had come for a courtesy visit to the headquarters.
An anonymous staff member affected by the situation explained that the workers were taken aback by Umahi’s actions, emphasizing that he appeared to have overlooked the current economic challenges in the country and the fact that many staff members reside in areas outside the city center.
The staff said, “The minister, upon resumption around 9.30 a.m., instructed security officers to lock the gate.
“Over 300 staff members, including some directors, were asked to stay outside and even when we tried to enter, the gatemen said it was on the order of the minister and nobody should enter the premises.
“Eventually, we had to call our colleagues who were already inside to inform them of what had happened. They came outside to join us, blocked the road and everywhere became rowdy.
“Even the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had to turn back because of the crowd.
“After about four hours, the minister came down to address us, apologizing that he didn’t give any directive.
“The union leaders had put off the lights so no one could do anything and that’s why everyone had no choice but to come outside.”
Giving further details, another staff said it was insensitive for the minister to lock out workers, hinting that the situation would have degenerated if the minister hadn’t apologized.
“To me, it was insensitive for the minister to have done such a thing even though he denied it. Everyone in the country is just managing. Most of our workers stay very far from town and it is sad all of these happened today.”
Following the protest, which lasted hours, Umahi, while apologizing, promised to consider some of the complaints made regarding the high cost of transportation.
He also urged the workers to support the transformative innovation of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and urged them not to join the planned nationwide strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress.