*Says ‘I’ve Granted 10 Of 14 Demands Already’
*Lambasts Workers For Embarking On ‘Unnecessary, Ill-Motivated Strike’
*Orders Security To Protect Employees Willing To Return To Work
*JUAC May React Soon
By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Finally, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has given his own perspective –and that of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which he heads – to the demands by the Administration’s about 40,000 workforce that today embarked on an indefinite strike.
The industrial action,over several issues bordering on alleged poor service conditions under the Minister, paralyzed activities at FCTA’s headquarters and those of its agencies in the nation’s capital.
In a statement forwarded to People&Politics and signed by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications and Social Media), Mr Lere Olayinka, the Minister gave a blow-by-blow reaction to the workers’ demands.
Importantly too, he ordered security personnel to offer protection to those workers that report for routine duties -an order perceived by some labour leaders as a bid to break the ranks of the striking workers.
Titled ’10 Out Of 14 Demands Of Workers Have Been Met, Remaining Four Being Addressed’, the statement kicked off thus: “The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that 10 out the 14 demands of the workers that are on strike have been met, adding that other demands are being looked into with a view to addressing them.
“The FCTA also said that there are workers under various unions such as the Law Officers Association of Nigeria that have dissociated themselves from the strike action, and these workers deserve the rights to be allowed access to their offices to perform their duties.
“The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCTA), even wrote to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appreciating him for “his exemplary leadership and commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers, as demonstrated by the payment of the longstanding 13 months hazard allowance arrears as well as the payment of one month wage award”.’
According to the statement, top FCTA officials had held several meetings with union leaders, including on Saturday and Sunday.
It said in one of the meetings held with Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) leaders on Friday, January 16, the demands as well as the interventions of the Minister were laid bare, insisting that at no point did the Minister express unwillingness to address any of the demands.
The statement added: “Appeal was made to JUAC Officials that other pending issues were not severe enough to warrant the declaration of strike action, and that dialogue should be adopted in resolving all other issues affecting staff welfare in the FCTA.
Wage Award, Other Arrears
“For instance, one of the demands made was non-payment of outstanding five months Wage Award, payment of which has commenced. Also, the outstanding 13 months Hazard Allowance and 22 months Rural Allowance for Health Workers have been fully paid by the administration.
“The workers also listed non-payment of 2023 promotion arrears and outstanding 2024 promotion arrears as part of their demands.
“Meanwhile, the outstanding arrears in the sum of N286,166,772.46, covering 724 Officers across 24 SDAs (Secretariats, Departments and Agencies) was approved by the Minister in December 2025 and being processed for payment to the beneficiaries.
Tenure Elongation For Perm Secs, Directors
“On elongation of tenure of retired Directors and Permanent Secretaries in violation of the Public Service Rules, this has been resolved with Minister assuring the workers of strict compliance with the Public Service Rules.
Staff Training, Retraining
“JUAC also raised issue of lack of training and retraining of staff and on this, on this, all SDAs have been directed to forward general and specialized training needs to the Permanent Secretary, Common Services for onward submission to the office of the Head of Service for further necessary action.
Non-Remittance Of Pension, NHF Deductions
“Another issue is non-remittance of National Housing Funds (NHF) deductions and Pension Contributions since May, 2025, which is the function of workers themselves and has nothing to do with the Minister or the FCTA management. The Head of Service has therefore constituted a Committee comprising of the workers to holistically address all issues relating to all deductions and remittances.
‘ Rigged’ Promotion Examinations
“On claim of defective promotion examination process with a pass rate of about 22.5 percent, it was pointed out that the figures and percentage presented by JUAC had no official backing and they were therefore advised to await the formal release of the results of the promotion examinations as directed by the Minister.
Overstay Of Overseeing Directors
“Also, the issue of overstay of Overseeing Directors has been reasonably addressed by the conduct of the 2023 promotion for eligible Deputy Directors while the release of the just concluded 2024 staff promotion by the FCT Civil Service Commission will conclusively address the matter.
Conclusions
“In all, it can be seen that the FCT Minister has made concerted efforts to address the demands of the workers and he will continue to accord them top priority.
“From all indications therefore, and considering all the efforts already made by the Minister in acceding to almost all the demands as well as explanations by the FCTA management staff in the meetings held, the strike action embarked on by JUAC is unnecessary, ill-motivated and obviously aimed at achieving purposes other than welfare of the workers.
“The FCTA also call on security agencies to ensure that workers who have opted not to be part of the strike have access to their offices so as to carry out their lawful duties unhindered.”
People&Politics gathered that JUAC is “critically studying” the statement and may respond through its own press statement or address a press conference soon.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Wike.
