From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Federal and state government workers resumed work in Kaduna yesterday after a two day Christmas and Boxing holiday declared by the federal government.
Although only a few offices were under locked and key, but many staff resumed duties.
They, however, lamented the hardship, insecurity threat in Southern Kaduna and rising cost of food items as worrisome.
Some who could not hide their travails expressed concern over the rising cost of commodities without a corresponding increase in salaries.
However, some civil servants who spoke with Peoples Daily said they had their good time meeting with friends and some members during the, Christmas break.
It is also also observes that commercial banks, some business premises, especially along the popular Muhammadu Buhari way and independent way closed for the holidays had reopened for business as customers were seen going into those places for their businesses.
Some of the civil servants, however, blamed the low turn-out of some workers on the alleged nonchalant attitude of some civil servants, who, according to them, always add additional days for themselves whenever public holidays are declared for any celebration.
Rakiya Dauda also a civil Servant said most workers do take additional days to continue to rest in the name of celebration, saying “it is a bad attitude towards work.
“It has always been our lifestyle to add two or more days to the official public holidays given to celebrate in Nigeria; be it Easter, Christmas or Sallah celebration.
“Though a good number of us have resumed, but you will agree with me that some us are still in the mood of celebration,” she observed.
Similarly, Jonathan Edward another civil servant, expressed the joy of travelling safely to his Local government Area and returning safely to work, adding that he could not stay beyond the holidays.
“I am so delighted, I travelled and came back safely to begin my work and I see no reason to overstay because it might have caused me to spend a lot, so I have to quickly return.”
Madam Mary Paul, also a civil servant explained that she was unable to travel out of Kaduna owing to lack of enough money to celebrate with her family.
According to her, travelling requires a lot of money so as to be able to return to work on time.”
