TUC Shuts Down Finance Ministry Over Unpaid Allowances
By Patience Ikpeme
Official activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance were brought to a halt on Tuesday morning as members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) staged a protest demanding the payment of unpaid allowances.
The demonstrators, clad in red jackets and displaying placards, formed a barricade at the main entrance of the ministry headquarters in Abuja, effectively stopping all operations.
The protest, which began early in the day, created a tense atmosphere within the ministry complex. Many staff members and visitors found it difficult to access the building as union members blocked entry points and prevented anyone from entering. The normally bustling entrance of the ministry was occupied by the protesting workers, who voiced their frustration through chants and messages on their placards.
While TUC officials and participants declined media interviews, the messages on their placards clearly indicated their demand: immediate payment of allowances owed to staff. Slogans such as “Pay Us Our Entitlements” and “No More Delays” were prominently visible as the protest continued throughout the morning.
A civil servant who managed to enter the premises amid the commotion shared his perspective with The Nation: “Every time they bring protest here. Let them go to the villa now.” His remark reflects a growing weariness among workers observing repeated protests over similar grievances.
Attempts by ministry officials to de-escalate the situation and initiate dialogue were met with resistance from the protesters. A senior staff member of the ministry who initially tried to engage with the union members was turned away. Later, Mr. Raymond O. Omachi, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Special Duties at the ministry, approached the crowd at the gate but was also refused an audience.
The protesters maintained that they would only communicate with the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun. According to them, previous attempts to resolve the matter with lower-ranking officials had not yielded any results. “We will not listen to anyone else except the Minister,” one of the union members was heard saying, with others echoing his demand.
As of press time, no official statement had been issued by the Ministry of Finance concerning the protest or the status of the unpaid allowances. It remains uncertain whether the Minister will meet with the TUC as requested or when the issue will be resolved.
This latest demonstration adds to a series of industrial actions in recent months stemming from labour grievances over salary arrears, benefits, and welfare across various government ministries and agencies. The TUC’s insistence on ministerial-level engagement may signal a new strategy by labour unions to hold top government officials directly accountable for addressing workers’ demands.
Security personnel were present around the premises, monitoring the situation, but the protest remained peaceful.
