Work resumed yesterday in Abuja after the expiration of the one-day public holiday declared by the Federal Government to mark the New Year festival.

The Federal Government last week declared Tuesday, January 1 as public holiday.

A visit to the Federal Secretariat located on Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, indicated that many of the workers reported for duty early.

At the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ministries of Trade and Investments, Interior, Environment and Defence, workers were seen arriving for work in their staff buses at 7.32 a.m.

Mrs Blessing Onah, a staff of one of the ministries, said she enjoyed the holiday but wished that the Federal Government had declared Wednesday a public holiday.

"I would have been happier if the holiday was for two days, as it was during the Christmas celebration. I had to wake up early today to rush to work," Onah said.

Onah's colleague, Mr Joseph Ehiorobo, also said he would have loved it if Wednesday had been declared a public holiday.

"I have no choice but to resume work as directed by the government. I had a wonderful time with my family," Ehiorobo said.

Mr Clement Okosun said work had to go on as there was need to put in the best in the New Year. "We have celebrated New Year and work has to go on" he said.

A staff of the Ministry of the Environment at Mabushi, Mrs Bosede Komolafe, said she could not travel during the break because the time was too short.

"You know the time was very short because we had only one day to relax. With the high costs of transportation, I and family decided not to travel.

At the FCDA, workers were seen at their various duty posts carrying out their work. Mrs Hafizat Rabiu said she had to resume today because only Jan. 1, was declared a public holiday.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located at the Central Business District, workers could be seen in their offices. Mr Agbole Ode, the spokesman of the ministry, said work had resumed in the ministry.

"Our workers are dedicated to their duties. We do not work like the core civil servants. "I can assure you that if you take a roll call, you will get a 100 per cent attendance," he said. (NAN)