The staff union of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment under the auspices of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) on Wednesday shut down the ministry and prevented access to offices in protest to what they (Union) called a deplorable state of affairs of the Ministry.
When Tribune Online visited the Ministry, the main entrance to the Minister’s office was locked, the situation was the same at the office of the Minister of state.
The Union is seeking the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Evelyn Ngige who was posted to the ministry in August 2021 for paralyzing economic activities of the ministry.
According to a communique signed by the Chairman of JNC, Comrade Onwuyai. Okonkwo and the Secretary, Comrade O. H Alimi explained that “following series of consultations and intervention with staff on the state of affairs in the Ministry since August 2021 when the current Permanent Secretary assumed duty in the Ministry, the entire staff hereby notes and resolve that, the Ministry is in a deplorable state of affairs evidenced by low workers morale and poor service delivery.
“That, the effect of (i) above was brought about by the activities and administrative tendencies of the Permanent Secretary. That, the presence of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry can no longer guarantee industrial harmony.
“Consequently, staff unanimously resolved that the Permanent Secretary be redeployed with immediate effect to restore confidence and sense of harmony in the workplace.
“Staff requests that funds for payment of Training Allowance should be complete and made available to conclude the process on or before November 15, 2021, all with a view to dousing the restive atmosphere already created by the unfolding events”.
Another letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary, presented to newsmen dated 1st of October, 2021 noted that “we write with the best compliments and regards from the Joint Negotiating Council of Trade Unions in the Ministry.
“This letter is intended to draw your attention to the above subject, following a series of complaints from the staff of the Ministry as it affects productivity and service delivery since your assumption of office in August 2021.
“The content of the complaints as hereunder listed is a reminder of our earlier presentation to you of a service charter document during the Union briefing at the Permanent Secretary’s Conference room in August 2021.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the complaints by the staff include Lack of working materials in the Ministry, Infrastructural decay, undue delay in treating files and the attendant negative effect in actualizing the corporate mandate of the Ministry.
High handedness in official relationship with staff, disregard for the professional standard operating procedure to achieve set goals, and; Insensitivity and neglect of welfare needs of Outstation Staff, amongst others.
“In view of the above, Union Is Inclined to meet with you to deliberate on these complaints with a view to dousing restiveness created by the unfolding event. Please, be informed that a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2021, by 12 noon in the Conference room of the Permanent Secretary”.
The Union stated that the Permanent Secretary did not grant them audience while other channels to get the Permanent Secretary to listen to their complaints were unfruitful.
JNC said the offices of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will continue to be locked until Federal government grants their demand.
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