Hundreds of aggrieved civil servants under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday staged a mass protest at the office of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding immediate payment of salaries, hazard allowances, and a resolution to the prolonged primary school teachers’ strike.
The protest, led by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), brought activities at the Minister’s office in Abuja to a standstill as workers blocked entry and exit points, insisting their grievances had been ignored for too long.
The demonstration marks the beginning of a three-day warning protest, mobilized last week through a circular issued by JUAC President, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer. In it, she accused the administration of “blatantly refusing” to address critical issues affecting staff welfare.
Among the protesters’ core demands are the release of overhead funds, payment of wage awards and hazard allowances, resolution of the over 100-day-long FCT primary school teachers’ strike, and the removal of Emeka Ezeh, Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, over alleged mismanagement and unjust directives.
“We are working under terrible conditions. Offices have no basic supplies. Staff are forced to buy their own paper and pens to function,” Iortyer told the crowd. “They claim overheads are for directors — how can someone at that level not know it’s for running the offices?”
She also condemned the administration’s failure to promote eligible civil servants, particularly those who retired in 2024 without receiving their due upgrades.
“If someone retired as an assistant director when they should have been promoted earlier, their career progression ends unfairly. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
JUAC further raised concerns over inconsistent salary payments.
“Today, your salary is one amount; tomorrow, it’s something else. Many of us don’t even know what our real salaries are anymore,” Iortyer lamented.
One of the most controversial issues was a March 10 letter allegedly issued by Ezeh, which reportedly ordered the suspension of salaries for auxiliary staff, including enforcement agents, cemetery, and mortuary workers.
“In this harsh economy, is it fair to cut people’s salaries without notice? There’s a process. You don’t just stop salaries arbitrarily. That letter was heartless,” she said.
Supporting the protest, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) FCT chapter, Comrade Audu Akogwu, called out workers who failed to join the demonstration, labeling them “saboteurs.”
Akogwu criticized the suspension of promotions, lack of staff training, and absence of operational funds. He also faulted the Minister’s failure to pressure Area Council Chairmen to pay striking teachers and local government workers, despite claims of bailout disbursements.
“FCTA workers are suffering. There’s no overhead. Directors are powerless. Staff bring their own supplies just to work. Promotions have been stalled for years,” he said. “And our children are at home because teachers haven’t been paid. If the Minister could control councils in Rivers State, why not here?”
Akogwu issued a warning, vowing that if the administration fails to act after the three-day protest window, the unions will escalate their action by shutting down all FCTA operations.
“This is a warning. If they ignore us, I will mobilize all TUC affiliates in Abuja. Every FCT office will be shut down,” he declared.
As of press time, the FCT Administration had yet to respond to the protesters’ demands.