The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers, acting the under the aegis of the Federal Civil Service Senior Staff Union, staged a peaceful protest at about 10 a.m. at the FMoH. They are demanding for the redeployment of their Permanent secretary , Mrs Amina Shamaki. The workers accused the permanent scribe of abuse of office and high handedness, among others.

However, Oyo-Ita addressed the protestors at the secretariat, urging them to allow the committee complete its assignment. “What I have seen here this morning has really surprised me. “Two weeks ago a family meeting was held that resulted to the formation of a sub- committee to study your grievances. “I believe that you ought to have allowed the sub-committee to finish its assignment. “The issue of your Permanent Secretary coming to the office with security aides is not out of place because all top government functionaries, including permanent secretaries and chief executives of parastatal agencies are entitled to security details. “I was also almost prevented from coming into the Federal Secretariat by some people ringing bells, but anyhow reason prevailed,” said the nation’s head of service.

NAN also reports that the workers carried some placards that read: “Awarding contracts without due process” and “Bribing FMoH workers with N5,000 to cover her corrupt acts”. Others were “Directors of FMoH refuse to obey eight years tenure policy by taking government to court”, “PS FMoH is abusing govt office” and “Dr Shamaki please leave FMoH”. The permanent secretary was said to have resumed work on May 31, after attending the World Health Assembly conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The permanent secretary was also said to have arrived office early in the morning with armed security personnel.

Meanwhile, the ministry was yet to officially react to the development. Normalcy had returned to the ministry as many workers were seen in their various offices.

Source: Swankpharm