Members of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Tuesday, demanding better welfare, the payment of allowance arrears, and other emoluments for workers.
The demonstration was spearheaded by the aggrieved staff of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), who are represented by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The protesters accused Minister of Finance Wale Edun of withholding their statutory entitlements despite multiple appeals for redress.
Dressed in red T-shirts and holding placards, the workers locked the gates of the ministry, effectively blocking all vehicular access and forcing many employees to turn back home.
Patrick Solomon, the Industrial Relations Officer of the authority, expressed the frustration of the workers during a brief address to journalists.
“We are here to protest the insensitivity to our requests and demands as a union and as members,” he stated.
He went on to outline the ongoing challenges faced by the workers.
“Our IGR in the office has 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 lamented.
