Minister of Works Dave Umahi has apologized to his staff after each other engaged in a show of power as both locked each other in or out of office on Thursday.
In reaction, the affected workers embarked on a protest, angrily shouting, ‘He must go!’, ‘Umahi must go!’ and ‘Solidarity forever!’
Umahi, who got to the ministry’s complex ahead of some directors and staff in the morning, denied them access to their respective offices.
Addressing the protesters, Umahi apologized to the staff of the ministry for locking them out.
“I would come to work and see workers coming to work by 12 o’clock or by 1 o’clock. I have had to send some of them to the permanent secretary to talk to them,” Umahi said.
“Just a week ago, I called all the directors and said to them, ‘Without discipline, it is difficult’. I come to work and ask for files; some of the staff are not yet in the office to provide the files.
“By the time I asked for files at 3 o’clock, some of the workers would have left. I cannot do without you, and you cannot do without me.
“Today I came to work by 9:30 a.m. I had a number of files to transmit, and not up to five percent of the workers were in.
“I told the head of human resources that I needed to get the attention of the workers; I needed to come and address you at the gate, and then I saw you start playing friendly games like a fight.
“When you treat people well, it is not a favour to them; it is a favour to yourself. Because whatever you sow is what you reap.
“If you were offended this morning, I offer my apologies to you.
“You have to support me; I am not fighting for myself. You have to support me in demanding that when we pay contractors, they respect us.
“We are together, and I want to assure you that I love you. I want you to be on my side. Let us fight this battle together, and it is a battle that we must win.
“We must reset this country. This is the agenda of the renewed hope of Mr. President.” Umahi said
