FCTA Back To Business As Labour Calls Off Protest After Deal With Wike

Normal activities have resumed at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) secretariat after organised labour suspended its planned solidarity protest, easing tensions that had disrupted operations across key offices in Abuja.

According to Ireporter Online, the development followed a truce reached after an extensive meeting that lasted into the early hours of Tuesday, effectively ending a week-long face-off between FCTA workers and the administration under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike.

A visit to major departments on Wednesday, including the Minister’s Office, the Treasury Department, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), showed workers fully back at their duty posts, delivering services and attending to official responsibilities.

The return to work represents a major shift from the situation that began on January 19, when employees operating under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) commenced an indefinite strike over outstanding welfare concerns. Although the National Industrial Court had earlier ordered workers to resume duties on January 27, labour leaders initially declined compliance, maintaining that the strike would persist until their grievances were resolved.

The deadlock was eventually broken following a late-night engagement involving Minister Wike, labour leaders, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi. The meeting reportedly addressed critical issues raised by the unions, paving the way for industrial peace.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike described the talks as constructive, noting that the resolution was achieved without any party claiming superiority. He said the engagement allowed labour leaders to better understand the realities on ground and resulted in a directive for workers to immediately return to work.

Labour, in a joint circular issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), confirmed receiving assurances from the minister on continued dialogue and respect in addressing welfare matters. The unions further stated that no worker would face sanctions for participating in the strike and that all related cases at the National Industrial Court would be withdrawn without delay.

Following the agreement, the NLC and TUC instructed all affected staff within the FCT Administration to resume duties immediately, marking a significant step toward restoring stability and uninterrupted public service delivery in the nation’s capital.