The FCT chapter of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) confirmed yesterday that there will be no going back on the indefinite strike action scheduled to begin today. Union leaders have directed all affected workers, including those of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to remain at home until further notice.

JUAC President, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, declared the strike on Friday, citing what the union described as the administration’s “breach of trust,” “inaction,” and the “deliberate demoralization” of its workforce through a litany of unresolved grievances.

In an address titled “A Plethora of Festering Issues,” Comrade Iortyer presented an 11-point indictment of the FCTA management, accusing it of financial malfeasance, systemic failure, and acts of bad faith against employees.

The union highlighted the non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions as a “serious breach of trust and a threat to the future security of its members.” Additionally, JUAC demanded the immediate removal of retired Directors and Permanent Secretaries, calling their tenure extensions a “clear contravention” of Public Service Rules.

“We are appalled by the illegal extension of tenure of retired officers,” Iortyer stated.

The union also rejected the results of a recent promotion exercise, where only approximately 2,000 FCT staff members were approved for promotion out of more than 7,000 candidates.

“We say no to the deliberate mass failure of the 2024 promotion exams, which we believe was intended to avoid paying promotion arrears,” Iortyer said, describing the process as a system “designed to fail and demoralize our members.”

Other grievances include unpaid promotion arrears, poor working conditions, staff intimidation, a lack of training, and the non-payment of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) enforcement officers.

“We demand immediate action on these issues. We will not be silenced by inaction,” she warned. “It is on this note that I declare an indefinite strike action beginning Monday, January 19, 2026.” (Daily Trust)

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