Fred Ezeh, Abuja 

Aggrieved workers, under the umbrella of Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU), yesterday, shut down part of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where the offices of the Ministry of Health is located.

The health workers arrived the complex as early as 8:00am, with placards with several inscriptions.

They barricaded the ministry’s entrance and exit gate, thus denying officials entry and exit for several hours. They chanted solidarity songs with the aid of sound systems and called the minister and other management of the ministry some unprintable names.

Amidst the chaotic environment, neither the Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, nor the Minister of State, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, were seen around the complex. Other officials who were denied entry were forced to park their cars outside the complex. 

JOHESU President, Josiah Biobelemoye, told newsmen that the aggrieved workers have had enough of unfair labour treatment by the ministry.

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He said they had wanted to lock down the ministry and occupy it till their requests are met, but they toned down their action because of the intervention by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Biobelemoye said: “We never requested for equality. We only requested for equity. We ought to have commenced nationwide strike on Monday or Tuesday, but, swift intervention came from a highly respected clergyman, over the weekend, who pleaded for more time to intervene. 

“We have agreed to soft pedal and  watch the outcome of the intervention this week. We won’t hesitate to embark on strike by the end of this week if we fail to get positive response.”

Meanwhile, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who was represented by Nuhu Toro, assured the health workers of the union’s full backing; in their struggle to get better working condition.

He appreciated the matured conduct of the aggrieved workers and encouraged them to be steadfast in their efforts to get better working conditions.

After several hours, no ministry official attended to the aggrieved workers.