TUC Shuts Down Finance Ministry Over Unpaid Allowances, Emoluments

The Federal Ministry of Finance was brought to a standstill  as members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria staged a fiery protest, demanding the immediate payment of delayed allowance arrears and withheld internal revenue.

Dressed in defiant red shirts, the union members formed an impenetrable blockade at the ministry’s entrance, effectively halting all vehicular movement and disrupting official activities. Placards waved and chants echoed through the air as the protesters voiced their frustration over what they described as the Ministry’s “insensitivity.”

Patrick Solomon, Industrial Relations Officer of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) branch, spoke to reporters amidst the demonstration, lambasting the Ministry’s inaction. “We are here to protest the insensitivity to our requests and demands as a union and as members,” Solomon declared. He explained that despite numerous attempts to engage with authorities, their pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

Solomon highlighted the severe impact of the outstanding payments, revealing that the union’s internally generated revenue (IGR) has been withheld for a staggering 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,” he stated, adding that the prolonged delay has significantly hampered their operations and welfare. “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.”