The Federal Government has introduced a centralised commuter bus service for civil servants in Abuja to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal,?the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Isa Sali, has said.
Sali said on Tuesday in Abuja that the gesture was to ease the transportation problems of civil servants and reduce?their financial burden.?
“The plan is to catch in on the mass transport scheme recently inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan as part of measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.”
On his directive to civil servants to report to work as the nationwide strike called by the organised labour entered its second day, the HOS said arrangements had been made to convey them?to work daily free of charge.
He said that buses had been provided to pick them up at designated routes.
Sali, however, attributed?the low turnout of civil servants for work to the barricades mounted by protesters,?noting that security measures were being evolved to ensure compliance with the directive.
He appealed to the organised labour to embrace dialogue by ensuring amicable resolution of the dispute with government.
“I am not asking labour not to do what they are doing, but?as the head of the civil service of the federation, I have the responsibility to ensure that workers turn out for duty without hindrance and their security guaranteed.
“Labour should continue with the ongoing dialogue so as to reach an amicable settlement.”
Meanwhile, security was beefed up at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, although the turnout of workers was generally low with the central car park becoming a ghost of its self.
At the Eagle Square, a detachment of the military was seen perfecting a mock drill, preparatory to the grand finale of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Wednesday.
Increased presence of security personnel at both the National Mosque, National Christian Centre and?the CBN, all?in the Central District of the capital.
At the American Embassy, it was business as usual as prospective visa seekers were seen trying to keep up with their appointments in spite of the strike.
Some of them who spoke with NAN said they were at the embassy to keep their appointments.
“I am here to keep my appointment for a visa to the U.S.
“I do not intend to run away from the country because of the strike but to?travel to see my daughter in the U.S,” Mrs Elizabeth Egbo-Egbo, said.
However, there was a substantial increase?in?vehicular and human traffic in the FCT due to increased?presence of?security personnel, with ambulances stationed at strategic places in the territory.