By Pius Awunah
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) workers have given a-7 day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Mr.Nyesom Wike to resolve long standing labour and welfare issues, failure which, they may embark on an industrial action.
The ultimatum was issued by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), FCT Administration, and took effect from January 7, 2026, according to a statement dated January 8,2026,and jointly signed by JUAC President, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, and Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
“A Seven (7) Day Ultimatum Notice has been duly issued and served on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory over unresolved and long-standing labour issues affecting our members,” the statement said.
The labour body said the notice was also copied to key authorities, including the FCT minister of State, the Chief of Staff to the FCT minister, the Head of Service (HoS) of the FCT, and the Director of Security Services, to draw urgent attention to the matter.
JUAC said the ultimatum followed what it described as management’s failure to address its demands despite “repeated engagements, correspondences and appeals.”
Among the grievances listed by the union are the non-release of approved overhead costs for six months in 2025 and the non-payment of five months’ wage award arrears owed to workers.
“Our members can no longer endure the continued denial of their legitimate entitlements,” the union stated.
The labour group also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the promotion process within the FCT Administration, citing what it described as a defective promotion examination with a pass rate of just 22.5 percent.
“The promotion examination process in the FCT has become defective and demoralising to staff,” the statement said.
JUAC further accused the FCTA of failing to remit pension contributions to workers’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) since May 2025, as well as non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions.
Other grievances include alleged staff intimidation and harassment, restrictions on phone usage by staff of the FCT Geographic Information System (AGIS), and the non-payment of enforcement officers, street sweepers and cleansers under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and Satellite Development Services (SDS).
“There is growing intimidation of staff and worsening working conditions across the system,” the union warned.
Health workers in the FCT were also said to be owed 13 months’ hazard allowance and 22 months’ rural allowance, while staff generally complained of the lack of an efficient transport system and absence of a housing scheme.
The union further faulted the extension of tenure for retired directors and permanent secretaries, the presence of what they called “overstayed overseeing directors,” and the centralisation of salary preparation and payment in the hands of a few individuals.
They also accused the administration of refusing to observe financial autonomy and approved spending thresholds for permanent secretaries and heads of departments and agencies.
“The refusal to observe financial autonomy and constituted thresholds has undermined effective administration in the FCT,” JUAC said.
The statement also protested the revocation of a garden allocated to JUAC by a former FCT minister in 2023 and the failure to restructure and upgrade the FCDA information office to a full-fledged department.
JUAC said it had activated the ultimatum in line with labour laws and established industrial relations procedures and directed all affiliate unions to begin sensitising their members and remain on high alert.
“All affiliate unions are hereby directed to remain on high alert and prepare for further directives should there be no positive response at the expiration of the ultimatum period,” the statement warned.
The labour body urged workers to remain united and law-abiding while pursuing improved welfare and fairness.
“We urge all comrades to remain united, law-abiding and resolute as we collectively pursue fairness, justice and improved welfare for workers in the FCT Administration,” the statement said.
