Minister of Works, David Umahi, has granted a 16-day holiday break for civil servants in his ministry to observe the Christmas and New Year festivities. The minister personally signed a memo titled ‘Holiday break in the Federal Ministry of Works,’ dated December 21, announcing the approval of this extended break. The circular was addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Director of Human Resources, and directors within the ministry.

While cautioning against the signing of any documents on his behalf, the minister explicitly exempted security and fire service personnel. These personnel may be summoned during emergencies, as stipulated in the memo.

Umahi’s directive aligns with a similar memo issued just two days prior by the Accountant General, Oluwatoyin Madein. The Accountant General’s memo instructed the closure of all government accounts before December 31.

The minister said, “Mr President has just given a holiday break to all Federal Executive Council members from Thursday, 21st December to Wednesday, 10th January 2024. In the Federal Ministry of Works, the office shall officially close for a break from Friday, 22nd December at 1 00pm to Sunday, 7th January 2024.

“Work is expected to resume from Monday, 8th January, 2024. During this period, the Permanent Secretary and Director Human Resources will arrange for required essential staff that will be permitted to work in the offices and within Federal Ministry of Works compounds.

“Should there be need for any director to perform any official function, the DHR, PS and honourable minister must be notified for permission. Otherwise no official function will be required during this period. During this period, a director or staff may be recalled to perform an urgent duty and such staff must have to oblige to perform such duties.

“No one is permitted to sign any document on behalf of the honourable minister within this period. The honourable minister will be available to attend to any emergencies during this period. Security and fire prevention personnel must all be on duty within the period. Staff must exercise maximum caution while travelling during the holiday and all staff phones must be reachable during the break.”

There are however concerns that such a long holiday ought not to be contemplated by the works ministry in view of the plethora of infrastructure projects currently ongoing across the country.

A civil society activist, Isaac Nwobu, wondered how the minister plans to ensure continuity of such ongoing projects, many of which he said require monitoring and payment to contractors.

He said, “How can a minister grant such a holiday when the federal government has already issued a circular for holiday? And to imagine that it’s a ministry where contractors and other service providers are in the field working without ceasing.

“Is Umahi implying that payment and other critical official duties must be put in abeyance for two weeks?

Frank Akinpelu, a student, also likened Umahi’s 16-day holiday directive to sabotage.

“Such a long break is unnecessary. There is no better way of killing a nation,” he said.

https://thisweekng.com/yuletide-minister-umahi-sparks-controversy-with-16-day-holiday-break-for-works-ministry/

Even when dem no get holiday, which work dem dey do?

Umahi want to use this opportunity to get back at the workers. Drastic plan and change on the way.

Umahi is just empty...Tufiakwa!

Offcourse this is a good idea as they can't be doing roads at this time and cause inconvenience to the road users

Nwoke still thinks he is a governor

CilicMarin:
Umahi is just empty...Tufiakwa!

Suddenly,he is now empty.
B4 elections “Umahi is the only Igbo we can trust” according to you corn squad 🤣