Confusion As Civil Servants Protest at HOS Oyo-Ita’s office

The section of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, which houses the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation experienced an halt in activities and disorderliness as workers attached to the office embarked on a peaceful protest over alleged poor welfare and lack of training for years, among others.

They also expressed their discontent at the claim that out of the 16 elevator in the complex, only one is currently working.

They also alleged that the management of the ministry have not paid their promotion arrears.

Mr. Ikediashi Uzoh, the leader of the union said the protest only started after a meeting the workers had with representatives of the management in the morning.

“The management, after a second meeting, had agreed to meet the request of the staff immediately, hopefully by the end of this week,” Uzoh said.

While speaking to Journalist on the condition of anonymity, some of the workers gave insight and reasons why the protest is instigated.

One of them said that part of the problem was their Sallah bonus which he said had been slashed to N15,000 from N50,000.

He said this was despite the fact that the government still owed them the bonus of the last Sallah.

He also said there was no longer staff buses to convey workers to work.

“They have been promising, but we buy working materials with our money to ensure the job is done, there are no materials in the store.

“We use our money to photocopy documents at business centres, and the toilets are appalling, they need maintenance,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Winnifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of Service to the Federation was attending the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while the protest was on going.

Mr. Afolayan Olaniyi, Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, while addressing the aggrieved staff on behalf of the head of service said that management, having contacted Oyo-Ita, had agreed to the terms of the union.

“The Head of the Civil Service has agreed to address your grievances,” he said.

According to Punch, senior civil servant were not allowed to carry out their duties while the protest lasted.

The protest was held at Block A of the federal secretariat.

Normalcy has since returned to the secretariat as of the time of filing this report.