Members of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria TUC) staged a demonstration on Tuesday at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja to express frustration over poor working conditions, unpaid allowance arrears, and other outstanding benefits.
The protest was led by staff of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, operating under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
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They accused the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, of failing to release their statutory entitlements despite numerous efforts to engage him on the matter.
Clad in red T-shirts and holding placards, the demonstrators shut the ministry’s main entrance, effectively blocking vehicle movement in and out of the premises.
This action disrupted the normal flow of work, compelling several employees to return home.While addressing the media, Patrick Solomon, the Industrial Relations Officer of the agency, condemned what he described as a lack of responsiveness from the ministry.
“We are here to protest the insensitivity to our requests and demands as a union and as members.
“We had certain challenges, and we have used all avenues to resolve the issues, but there were no listening ears. Our IGR in the office have been withheld for nothing less than 15 months.
“It has been very difficult to operate in the office, and that has been very difficult for us. Most importantly, allowances have not been paid. We have been on this issue with the minister for a very long time now, and it’s obvious he is not ready to listen to us,” he said.
