Indications emerged yesterday of a possible meeting between the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami and workers of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) today, in Abuja.
The anticipated parley comes four days to the January 29 expiration date of the 21-day ultimatum handed to the Federal Government by the local chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) after it called off a two-day strike to agitate for a better working condition and special protection from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The workers embarked on the industrial action on January 7, but called it off the next day after the minister’s intervention. The enrolment, however, didn’t resume until January 11.
Chairman of the NIMC chapter of ASCSN, Lucky Asekokhai, who confirmed the development, said the workers are not expecting too much from the government official, “but we expect the minister to at least help us with working tools as requested”.
He added: “Once these tools are provided, we the workers will be able to work efficiently. I must also say that this will also be an opportunity for us to protect ourselves, especially from Covid-19”.
Acknowledging that management had begun distribution of personal protective equipment to employees, Asekokhai, however, noted that they were insufficient.
The ASCSN chair threatened that if the demands were not met, they would be forced to shut down the entire process.
Meanwhile, the NIMC said it had commenced enrolment of foreign diplomats in the country. A statement issued by its spokesperson, Kayode Adegoke, said the minister ordered the establishment of an enrolment center at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. The exercise began on January 18. On January 17, the Federal Government announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) was mandatory for diplomats and other lawful residents in the country.
