Following what they described as the uncooperative attitude and dictatorial tendencies of the new Director General of the National Emergence Management Agency (NEMA), Engr. Mustapha Maijhaja, the entire staff have begun an indefinite nationwide strike aimed at pressing their demand for better conditions of service.
In a memo written to the NEMA Branch Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)and the Trade Union Congress(TUC), the union noted that the strike has become necessary as NEMA management led by the new helmsman has shown total disregard for staff welfare and other matters.
The letter was written by the Secretary-General, ASCSN, Isaac Ojenmhenike, and was addressed to the President, Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other senior government officials.
The Union said based on the expiration of the agreement signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, NEMA management and the union, it has become clear that the NEMA has refused to comply.
Some of the placards pasted at the gates of NEMA offices reads “Mustapha Maihaja must go,” “Mustapha we are tired of aluta, pay our claims or resign, enough is enough.”
“No hazard allowance, no life assurance cover”, “Who will die next”, “No promotion exercise”, “Give us training it is statutory”, “Maihaja is an electrician, we are humanitarian.”
The Union has therefore directed all its members in all NEMA offices nationwide to embark on indefinite strike as further information would be communicated in due course.
The current action would disrupt the ongoing distribution of relief materials to victims of Boko Haram victims in various Internally Displaced Persons camps in the North Eastern part of the country.