Operations at the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday came to a grinding halt as members of the Joint Union Action Committee launched a protest over long-standing grievances, including unpaid entitlements, erratic salaries, and the unresolved strike by primary school teachers in the FCT.
The protesters blocked access to the Minister’s office, effectively shutting down activities and demanding the removal of Emeka Ezeh, Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
Their demands encompassed a wide range of issues: unpaid salaries for certain worker categories, outstanding wage awards for health personnel, delayed overhead allocations, non-payment of hazard allowances, and stagnated promotions, particularly for staff approaching retirement.
While addressing the protesters, JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer faulted the FCTA’s failure to release overhead funds, which she described as essential for day-to-day administration.
“We cannot work when overhead is not released. Some officials even claim overhead is only for directors. That is false. It is used for office maintenance and work-related needs,” she stated.
She also highlighted how the lack of timely promotions had cost many workers their career progression.
“If you were supposed to retire as an Assistant Director in 2024 but were not promoted in time, your career ends without reaching its full potential. That’s unjust,” she said.
Iortyer further decried the inconsistent salary payments, saying workers no longer knew what to expect at the end of each month.
“Every month, your salary changes. Today it’s one amount, tomorrow it’s different. I can’t even tell how much my salary is anymore,” she lamented.
She also drew attention to unpaid hazard allowances owed to essential auxiliary health workers, including mortuary attendants and cemetery staff.
According to her, the sudden halting of salaries was instigated by the Commission Chairman and was unacceptable.
“In this economy, you can’t just stop people’s pay without warning. That is the initiative of the Commission Chairman, and it’s wrong,” she added.
Also present at the protest was the FCT Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Audu Akogwu, who pledged full support for JUAC and criticized those who refused to join the demonstration.
“FCTA workers are suffering. Staff buy pens and papers themselves to do their work. There’s no promotion for 2023 or 2024, no training, and no overhead,” he said.
Akogwu also took aim at the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of not taking decisive action to end the teachers’ strike or resolve the salary delays at the local government level.
“Our children are out of school for over 100 days. You say bailout funds were released, how are they being used? As governor in Rivers, Wike controlled the LGs. Why can’t he act here?” he asked.
Issuing a firm warning, Akogwu stressed that Monday’s protest was only the beginning of a larger movement.
“This is just a warning. If nothing changes, we’ll shut down all FCT offices. I will mobilize all TUC affiliates in Abuja,” he vowed.
