*Overjoyed Staff Members Thank Wike
*’I Can Now Buy School Uniforms For My Children’
Jubilation filled the circle of cleaners of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as the Administration paid them six months’ salary arrears.
The resolution of the financial burden followed approval by FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The approval came in the wake of facilitation done by ranking senior officials of the Administration including the FCTA Acting Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan; Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hon. Felix Obuah; and the Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Mr. Ajayi Rotimi Babatunde.
Acting Director, Department of Facilities Maintenance and Management (DFMM), Engr. (Dr) Ayuba A. Usman, a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), confirmed that funds have been released to settle the outstanding salaries, according to a statement issued today by the department’s Information Unit and obtained by newsmen.
The statement noted that the Administration’s action was to ensure that the essential workers, whose role is to maintain cleanliness in public spaces for a conducive working environment, remain motivated by,among others, receiving their due wages.
The payment was made to cleaners who work in the FCTA Secretariat located at Area 11, Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the statement, the payment of the arrears “has brought a wave of relief and joy to the cleaners.”
It added: “A cross section of them shared their thoughts on the positive development.
‘ “I am so happy!” said Fatima, a cleaner at the Minister’s Block. “I can finally buy school uniforms for my children.”
‘ “This payment is a blessing,” shared Ibrahim, a cleaner at the FCT Legal Secretariat. “It’s been a long time coming. Thank you to the Administration for finally listening to
us.”
‘ “We are relieved,” added Chika, a cleaner in the Treasury Block. “But we hope the Administration will stick to a regular payment schedule going forward.”
“They expressed relief and gratitude for the decision against the background of financial strain caused by the delay.
“A cleaner who wished to remain anonymous
added thus, “we are thankful for this payment. It will go a long way in supporting our families and meeting our needs.”
“On its part, FCTA has urged stakeholders involved in service delivery to adhere to payment schedules to prevent future delays and so ensure continuous service
improvement.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: One of the cleaners at work at a wing of FCTA secretariat.
