The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it has addressed 10 of the 14 demands put forward by striking workers, with discussions continuing on the remaining four issues.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media.
Olayinka said the administration had engaged labour union leaders in several meetings, including sessions held over the weekend, aimed at resolving the issues that resulted in the strike.
He said some groups of workers, such as members of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, had distanced themselves from the industrial action and should be allowed free access to their offices to carry out official duties.
According to the statement, the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT (ARD-FCTA), praised the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for what it described as exemplary leadership, especially the payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears and one month’s wage award.
The FCTA said major demands already resolved include the settlement of five months’ outstanding wage award, as well as full payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance and 22 months’ rural allowance to health workers.
It added that approval had been granted for the payment of promotion arrears for 724 officers across 24 Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs), totaling N286,166,772.46, and that the process was ongoing.
Olayinka also said issues surrounding the extension of tenure for retired directors and permanent secretaries had been settled, with assurances of strict adherence to the Public Service Rules.
He noted that matters relating to staff training and retraining had been referred to the Office of the Head of Service for appropriate action.
The statement further said unresolved issues, including the remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions and pension contributions, were being handled by a committee led by workers.
It added that concerns about the promotion examination process and the prolonged stay of overseeing directors were under review, with the results of the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises expected to provide a final resolution.
Olayinka urged union leaders to continue to engage in dialogue on the outstanding demands, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.