Amaechi makes surprise visits to offices, frowns at absenteeism

The Honourable for Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the nonchalant attitude of some staff of the Ministry of Transport towards their jobs. The Minister disclosed this during a non-scheduled tour of the Federal Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. As at the time of the visit, most of the offices were vacant as staff had left even before office time for close of work. The Minister also warned that staff who are not adding value to the Ministry will be redeployed.

Amaechi further frowned at the ambience of the work environment, promising to hold talks with the Permanent Secretary and leaders of the Civil Service Union of the ministry, to know why some of the offices are unkempt. On the ninth floor of the Ministry of Transportation, Amaechi noted that the dilapidated areas of the floor pose threats to staff safety and ordered immediate renovation.

While holding briefs for some of the staff who were absent, Chairman, Joint Union Negotiation Council (JUNC) of the ministry, Engr. Kolawolu Femi, said: “The reason why most staff are not in their offices is because there is an ongoing training programme for the staff and most of us are participating in the programme and some other staff are observing their annual leave.”

While commending the Honourable Minister for taking out time to go round the Ministry, Engr. Femi said : “ The minister’s visit to offices will help to encourage staff of the ministry. That singular act of visiting the offices would avail him the opportunity of seeing things for himself and proffer solutions where necessary. As you can see, it also afforded the minister the opportunity to interact with the staff present, so it is a welcome development and I would like him to do this regularly and unannounced. That way, the very few who may not be serious with their duties will sit up,” he said.