There was apprehension at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja, yesterday, as protesting civil servants grounded activities after the Minister, Dave Umahi, locked out over 300 staff and directors who resumed work late.
The public servants expressing their displeasure also confined the minister to his office, demanding an apology.
It was gathered that Umahi prevented workers who came late to work from gaining access to the ministry for over four hours after he arrived at 9:30am.
However, after the gate was opened, the workers, comprising of both Housing and Works Ministry, refused to enter the ministry and resorted to a protest.
The protesting staff also prevented entry and exit into the building thereby preventing the minister from leaving the office to receive the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, who came to the headquarters on a courtesy visit.
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 for fear of retribution said, “Most of us live in areas as far as Suleja in Niger State, some in Gwagwalada, Kefi, Abaji, Kuje Kwali, Kaduna road.
“Matters have been compounded with 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 a better understanding of the situation in the country instead of trying to run this place like Ebonyi State.”
Giving further details, another staff said that, “The minister upon resumption around 9:30 am instructed security officer to lock the gate.
“Over 300 staff 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 messy.
“Even the governor of Lagos, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, had to turn back because of the crowd.
“After about four hours, the minister came down to address us apologising 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.”
Another staff said it was insensitive for the minister to lock out workers, hinting that the situation would have degenerated into something if the minister didn’t apologise.
“To me, it was insensitive for the minister to have done such 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.”
Normalcy later returned at the Ministry, as some senior officials of the ministry and the union leaders intervened, but some of the staff were seen in clusters discussing the situation.