(NAN)

Only a few workers resumed work Tuesday at the various ministries of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the New Year holiday.

Official activities were still at a low ebb due to the poor turnout of workers, NAN reports.

The Federal Government declared Monday, December 25, Tuesday, December 26, and Monday, January 1 as public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year.

Commercial activity at the secretariat were equally low, as many traders around the complex had yet to restart business.

Workers who spoke to NAN expressed optimism for the country in the New Year

Mr. Tony Ihuoha, a civil servant, said that it was time for Nigerian workers to rededicate themselves to work for greater productivity.

“If we can work harder to improve on our contributions to national development, Nigeria will be better for it.”

Speaking on the low turnout of workers, Ihuoha said it could be because many of them who travelled for the holidays had yet to return.

At the phase 3 of the secretariat, including the Ministry of Education, some civil servants were seen treating files and attending to the public.

Mrs. Dorcas Babatunde, a civil servant, told NAN that the holidays had come and gone and that it was necessary for workers to be at their duty posts.

Related News

Babatunde said that though, work had resumed, full activity had yet to pick up in the offices.

“The year has started on a good note; some workers have resumed work while others are yet to return to office.

“I believe that by Monday, activities would have taken shape at the secretariat.

Miss Chinenye Eze, a recharge card seller, said that business was dull as many of her customers had not resumed work.

Eze, who was hopeful that things would get better as soon as many of the workers return, said sales were very low on resumption of work.

Mrs. Iyabo Agbaje, a food vendor, said it was a normal thing on the resumption of work to experience low sales.

“I have learnt from experience that there would always be a low turnout of workers the first day of work.

“What I did was to cook little food that I know I can finish selling before the close of work, as I have had the experiences of having to throw food away due to low patronage,” she said.

The ever busy car park at the Eagles Square was empty, as few vehicles were parked there, NAN reports.