Workers’ protest paralyses activities at Finance ministry

by Ifeanyi Onuba

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
| credits: blogs.cfr.org

Business activities were on Wednesday paralyzed at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

For the whole of the day, the ministry’s business activities were grounded by workers over what they described as poor welfare conditions.

Our correspondent, who witnessed the protest, reported that the workers barricaded the gate of the ministry and prevented visitors from gaining entrance into the premises of the ministry.

The workers accused the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anastasia Nwoabia, of deliberately denying them of some of the benefits that should naturally accrue to them, based on the civil service rules.

For instance, the workers, who defied the heavy downpour in Abuja, said that since the permanent secretary assumed office last year, members of staff had been experiencing difficulties in getting some of their allowances, such as overtime allowances and training allowances.

They also accused her of tactically stopping some of the perks that should be given to them during festive periods.

Nwaobia, who was at the building during the protest, appeared restless as her movements were restricted by the workers.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who arrived at about 2pm, could not salvage the situation as the vehicles in their convoy were prevented from entering into the premises of the ministry.

The minister arrived the ministry shortly after attending the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa.

Before the arrival, all pleas by top directors in the ministry to the workers to stop their protest fell on deaf ears.

The workers, shouting the slogan, “Perm Sec must go”, later granted access to both ministers only on the condition that they would walk in on foot.

As soon as Okonjo-Iweala stepped into the premises of the ministry, she joined the workers in their campaign in a show of solidarity, amidst shout of “Mummy oyoyo” from the workers.

The minister later led the workers into the ministry’s auditorium, where a meeting was held with the workers’ union.

Speaking during the meeting, the workers led by Mr. Olaniyi Ade, said the coming of the Nwaobia to the ministry has caused a lot of pains to the workers.

He said, “Things have gone out of hand in this ministry. We have, at various times, tried to meet with the Perm Sec about our welfare all to no avail, and now the crisis has degenerated.

“If you go to our staff clinic today at the ministry, 99.9 per cent of our staff are having high blood pressures because of the poor staff welfare.

“We used to have better welfare package in the ministry but all that is no more since the assumption of office of this perm sec.

Responding, Okonjo-Iweala assured the workers that the issues raised by the workers would be looked into.

She said, “Whatever the issues are, we will sort them out as a family.

“There has never been a time that I reasoned with you and you let me down. That is why I am proud of you. We are going to have a dialogue, and collectively, we will find a solution to these problems.”

For the whole of the day, the workers of the ministry grounded business activities over what they described as poor welfare conditions.

Our correspondent witnessed the protest and reported that the workers barricaded the gate of the ministry and prevented visitors from gaining entrance to the premises of the ministry.

The workers accused the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anastasia Nwoabia, of deliberately denying them of some of the benefits that should naturally accrue to them based on the civil service rules.

For instance, the workers, who defied the heavy downpour in Abuja, said that since the permanent secretary assumed office last year, members of staff had been experiencing difficulties in getting some of their allowances, such as overtime allowances and training allowances.

“I won’t say they’re the cause of our woes. What he (Shettima) said is grandstanding; he’s only doing political grandstanding. Young people like him to make all the noise. They’re not aware of the tricks and intrigues of politics.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Abdulrahman added that President Goodluck Jonathan was being surrounded by individuals, who were out to take advantage of him. He urged the President to look beyond ethnic lines to ensure peace and progress.

He said, “Where Jonathan is looking at is not where he should be. Nigerians want peace and food on their table. I think people who are advising President Jonathan are out to destroy him. The issue isn’t about the North or the South; it is unfortunate that northerners had ruled this country more than any other part of it.’’

@punchng.com