FCTA, FCDA Offices Closed As Workers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Welfare

Offices of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were locked on Monday after workers began an indefinite strike.

The action was organised by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), which accused the authorities of repeatedly ignoring workers’ long-standing labour and welfare concerns.

According to the union, the strike affected all secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals under the FCTA, bringing government activities in the territory to a standstill.

While leading the shutdown of offices, JUAC vice president Musa Istifanus (FCTA, FCDA and SDS) said the strike was triggered by the administration’s failure to address staff welfare issues.

He said union leaders had made several efforts to meet with the minister, but all attempts were ignored.

“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,” he said

Istifanus listed key complaints, including a controversial promotion exercise, unpaid wage awards, and the non-payment of pension contributions.

“The promotion was conducted last November, December. And it was a mass failure. 75 percent failed that exam. Do you call it an exam?” he asked.

He also criticised the chairman of the FCT service commission, accusing him of poor engagement with staff and unprofessional conduct, and called for his removal.

“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 man should be removed immediately,” he said.

The JUAC vice president said the strike would continue until the workers’ demands are addressed.

“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. By the grace of God,” he added.

The union explained that the strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCTA management on January 7, which it said was ignored despite several meetings.

JUAC’s demands include payment of outstanding promotion arrears, resolution of delayed promotions, and an end to the continued service extensions granted to retired directors and permanent secretaries.

The union also accused the administration of failing to remit workers’ pension and National Housing Fund deductions.

KanyiDaily also reported how police officers fired tearg as at contractors protesting over an alleged unpaid debt of N5.2 billion owed by the FCTA.