NEMA staff begin strike over welfare

The Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN) and Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Unit yesterday embarked on a nationwide three-day warning strike.

They are going on strike to protest the high handedness of the Director General of the agency, Mustapha Maihaja.

A staff of the agency who spoke to our reporter on telephoneý said Maihaja had since his coming to office, been running the agency like a personal business.

He said the NEMA boss has refused to do proper consultation or follow due process in carrying out his responsibilities.

One of the main grouse of the staff which forced them to embark on the strike was the issue of staff welfare, training and other issues.

The source added that workers have tabled grievances through their union which led to an intervention by the national labour union.

He however, said that after reaching an agreement for the implementation of their requests, the Director-General broke the promise and defaulted, when the deadline of the agreement elapsed Wednesday.

It was also alleged that despite funds for intervention provided by the federal government for various interventions, the Maihaja has refused to access the funds lodged in NEMA accounts to execute its mandate.