Following a protest by the staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on Thursday in Abuja over the action of the minister, who locked out some of the staff for coming late to work, David Umahi, minister of works and housing, has apologised to workers of the ministry.
The Informant247 gathered that the minister, 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 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.
“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 workers’ attention; I needed to come and address you at the gate; then I saw you started doing a 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.”