Sacked NIMC Staff Block Off NASS

Source: pointblanknews.com

Normal Legislative activities at the National Assembly, were brought to a halt as sacked staff of National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)on Tuesday barricaded the entrance into the National Assembly complex protesting their wrongful disengagement by its management.

The members who refused to be appeased by the NASS security following their closure of the entrance and exit gates, demanded that the sacked 4209 staff by the Director General NIMC, Barr. Chris Onyemene, must be recalled to work.

They also refused to be sway by some principal members of the Senate including Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, and the Minority leader, Senator George Akume, who asked the protesters to allow flow of traffic into the complex.

The crowd were further infuriated by the declaration by the Senators that the leadership of the National Assembly is not in the know of the matter.

Speaking for the protesters, their chairman, Mr Ushe Fidelis, said they were fed up with the seeming laxity with which the National Assembly members were addressing the matter.

He stated that they had held on three occasion peaceful protests at the National Assembly complex and that on countless occasions, the executive of the association have met with the committees of both chambers looking into the matter with little progress made in addressing their complaints.

He said “telling us that they are not aware of the matter is very provocative. What is even infuriating is the letter of sack given to us by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

“We are not satisfied with the situation. We have family and some of us have been sent packing from our homes because of rent all because of one single man, the DG, Barr. Chris Onyemene.

“We have had three peaceful protests like this three times not counting the many times we have met with executives and submitted our petitions.

“The committees have called for general hearing between the management of NIMC and us and the Barr Chris went on to say he will disengage 4029 staff and employ 18900 staff. We are trained staff, we have experience so we should be called back. This is a highly political matter.” he said.