FCT Offices Grounded as Workers Declare Indefinite Strike Over Unpaid Entitlements

 

Activities at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were paralysed on Monday as workers embarked on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues.

The industrial action was declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which accused the FCT authorities of ignoring long-standing demands bordering on promotions, wage awards and pension remittances.

Secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals under the FCTA were shut as union members locked office gates, effectively bringing government operations within the territory to a halt.

Addressing journalists during the enforcement of the strike, JUAC Vice-President, Musa Istifanus, said repeated efforts to engage the FCT Minister on staff welfare had yielded no result.

“You can see that we are shutting down the gates of FCTA, FCDA and all our agencies. The minister has refused to meet with the union despite numerous attempts to discuss issues affecting staff,” Istifanus said.

He listed major grievances to include a flawed promotion exercise conducted late last year, non-payment of approved wage awards and failure to remit pension deductions.

“The promotion was conducted in November and December, and it was a mass failure. Seventy-five percent failed that exam. Do you call that an exam?” he queried.

Istifanus also accused the Chairman of the FCT Service Commission of being insensitive to workers’ concerns, alleging unprofessional conduct.

“That man has been a problem to the FCT since he came. He doesn’t listen to staff and talks to workers anyhow. All we are saying is that he should be removed immediately,” he added.

The JUAC leader said the strike would continue until government meets all demands.

“If the minister meets with us today and our issues are resolved, we will call it off today. But for now, the strike is indefinite,” he stated.

The action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management on January 7, which the unions said was ignored despite several meetings.

In a statement signed by JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, the workers demanded payment of outstanding promotion arrears, implementation of due promotions, and an end to the tenure elongation of retired directors and permanent secretaries.

They also alleged non-remittance of pension contributions and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions, warning that the unions would not resume work until concrete steps were taken to address the issues.