The management of National Theatre in Lagos on Wednesday prevented vehicles of other Federal Government agencies within the complex from gaining access to their offices.
The alternate gate used to these officers were closed by the management of the National Theatre as early as 7 a.m.
Other Federal Government agencies within the complex include the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)
The vehicles had arrived the alternate gate leading to their offices about 7.45 a.m, but could not gain access because the gate was locked.
The workers, after waiting for a while, alighted from their staff buses and private cars and walked to their offices after all pleas to open the gate failed.
This development is not new as the affected workers are often locked out, leading to loss of man hours before the gate is opened.
One of the workers in the complex, Mr Bello Wasiu, described the situation as a disappointment and the decision as erratic.
“The National Theatre is a federal establishment that houses many other federal agencies. Why should these other workers be locked out? This is very bad, if everybody were like me, we will pull down this gate and continue with the case thereafter.
“There is no reason for the gate being there at all; the management of the theatre can only fence its area.’’
A driver, who simply identified himself as George, described the action as unreasonable and unimaginable.
George said that the development was new as workers in APCON, NICO, NAN and other agencies have been working in the complex without any inhibition.
“Some of these agencies have been here for more than 30 years and we have never been prevented from entering our offices. This is official recklessnes,’’ he said.
Another worker, Mr Isaac Ojo, said that “this kind of behaviour is bad; it will not happen in a civilised society.
“To me, it is like the management of theatre is holding animosity against the agencies, but we are working for the same Federal Government.”
Also a staff of APCON, who preferred anonymity, said that the current management of National Theatre had never been considerate in dealing with neighbours.
“The current management of the theatre has closed all the gates into the complex except one, but ironically the place should a place for relaxation and a public place.
“Its management is unwittingly shutting its doors against patrons of the popular relaxation spots in the complex.
“The theatre management may be taking these decisions in the name of security, but rather than shut all the gates, security men be posted to man the gates.
All the staff buses and cars of the workers were forced to park outside the gate for hours.
An official of the national theatre, who pleaded anonymity, said that the gate was closed to forestall security breaches within the complex.
He said that the action was not to embarrass the affected workers.
