FCTA, FCDA workers dare Wike, begin indefinite strike over welfare

Activities across the Federal Capital Territory were largely grounded on Monday as offices of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were shut following the commencement of an indefinite strike by workers despite warnings from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The industrial action was declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which accused the FCT authorities of failing to address long-standing labour and welfare-related grievances despite repeated engagements.

The union said the strike affects all FCTA and FCDA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils and parastatals, effectively bringing government operations within the territory to a halt.

Speaking with journalists on Monday while union members shut the gates of affected offices, the Vice-President of JUAC (FCTA, FCDA and SDS), Musa Istifanus, said the action was necessitated by what he described as persistent neglect of workers’ welfare by the administration.

“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 engage with him on issues affecting staff,” Istifanus said.

Istifanus listed several unresolved issues, including a controversial promotion exercise, non-payment of wage awards, and non-remittance of pension deductions.

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According to him, the promotion exercise conducted in November and December recorded a massive failure rate, which he described as unacceptable.

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

He also accused the Chairman of the FCT Service Commission of being unresponsive and unprofessional in dealings with staff.

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

The JUAC vice-president said the strike would remain in force until the workers’ demands are met.

“If the minister is meeting with us today and our issues are resolved, definitely we’ll call it off today. But for now, we cannot tell you how the strike is going. It’s indefinite,” Istifanus said.

JUAC said the decision to commence the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management, which it claimed was ignored despite several meetings during the period.

The ultimatum, which took effect on January 7, was contained in a statement dated January 8 and signed by JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary of the Congress, Abdullahi Saleh.

As of the time of filing this report, the FCTA and FCDA management had yet to issue an official response to the strike, even as residents and civil servants brace for prolonged disruption of public services in the nation’s capital.