Poor workers turnout mars resumption of work in Abuja after yuletide

By Stanley Onyekwere

There was low turnout of workers that reported to their varying duty posts at both Government and private offices in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on the first day into resumption of work, after 2018 yuletide break.
It was observed that few workers were at their duty posts in the premises of FCT Administration and Federal Secretariats, thereby manifesting in low human and vehicular movements.
Also, there was slow pace of human and vehicular movements within and around many office complexes and other places visited, as few people were seen going about their normal duties.
Further checks revealed that light traffic was recorded along the busy Abuja-Keffi axis, in the morning rush hours, showing that people were not fully back from the break.
However, many attributed the development to the short holiday that ended on Wednesday (mid-week), and the fact that many might travelled to their villages and other major cities for the yuletide season.
PeoplesDaily recalls that last week, following the expiration of the two-day Christmas break, activities were at snail pace at most public and private offices in the Territory, due to low turnout of workers.
Recall that the Federal Government had declared December 25 and 26 (Tuesday and Wednesday) and 1st January (Tuesday) respectively as public holidays to celebrate Christmas and New Year respectively.
As expected, some workers told PeoplesDaily that as civil servants at the expiration of the holidays they are required to ensure that government activities picked up without delay , hence their presence at their respective duty posts.
They noted though the work resumed midweek, workers have no excuse for not showing up to discharge their duty while other staff, who equally observed the holidays have reported for work on the first official working day.
Meanwhile, a top official at the FCTA, who pleaded anonymity, was of the view that the holiday was enough for any civil servant to get back to work since the first working day after Yuletide break.
He said immediately after the expiration of the official holiday to mark the New Year, responsible employees are expected to resume work at their various places of duty,
According to him, there was no justification for any worker to fail to turn up for work, as they are being paid salaries for services.