Video: Umahi Reacts As Civil Servants Reprimand Him For Locking Out Staff

The Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi, has apologised to the workers of the ministry after they reprimanded him for locking out staff over lateness.

Naija News reports there was a protest on Thursday at the federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja, after the minister locked out some staff for coming late to work.

Umahi, who got to the ministry’s complex ahead of some directors and staff in the morning, denied them access to their respective offices.

The video that surfaced on social media captured the moment the civil workers aired their displeasure, saying things were not done that way.

Reacting to their aggrieved speech, Umahi apologised to the ministry staff for locking them out.

“I would come to work and see workers coming to work by 12 O’clock, by 1 O’clock. I have had to send some of them to the permanent secretary to talk to them,” Umahi said.

He continued, “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 3 O’clock I ask for files, 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 am. I had a number of files to transmit and not up to 5 percent of the workers were in.

“I told the head of human resources that I need to get the attention of the workers; I needed to come and address you at the gate then I saw you started doing friendly game like a fight.

“When you treat people under you 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 apologies to you.

“You have to support me; I am not fighting for myself. You have to support me to demand that when we pay contractors, they should 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.”