NLC vows to shut down FCT after Tinubu’s project inauguration

“We had to extend the ultimatum because of Tinubu’s movements to inaugurate the FCT executed project.

“Members of the union will take over the streets of Abuja as soon as Tinubu concludes the inaugurations, hopefully on July 3.

“We are waiting for it to end and we will come together to step up our planned action,” he said.

He added that the NLC had already informed the FCT Administration and security agencies of the planned protest to shut down the territory as the last resort to press home their demands.

He said it was very unfortunate that up to this moment nothing has been done to address the lingering welfare cities in the area councils.

He noted that although the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage began across the six area councils in May, it was stopped the following month with no explanation to the workers.

“Like you know, strike or protest is always the last option, but we were left with no other opinion.

“We are not happy and it is not going to be a small thing if they don’t do the needful,” he said.

Knabayi alleged that the area council chairmen were spending huge resources in preparations for the 2016 February FCT Area Councils’ Election.

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According to him, the funds being expended will be enough to settle all the workers’ outstanding entitlements.

He called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to take a more decisive action to compel the area council chairmen to settle the council workers welfare concerns.

NAN recalls that Wike had made several efforts to resolve the crisis, including the recent release of N4.1 billion to the area councils to support the payment of minimum wage to the workers.

The minister had explained several times that primary school teachers and primary health care workers were under the purview of the area councils and not FCT Administration.

The NUT Chairman in FCT, Mr Abdullahi Shafa, during a protest on April 24, acknowledged Wike’s intervention to resolve the lingering strike, including the release of the N4.1 billion to the area councils to pay the striking teachers.

On their part, the chairmen of the area councils had in a press conference on May 13, urged the primary school teachers and other council workers to call off their ongoing strike.

Mr John Gabaya, Secretary of the FCT Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, who addressed the journalists, particularly appealed to the primary school teachers to return to the classrooms.

Gabaya said that the appeal became necessary for the interest of the pupils while negotiation continues.

 

NLC vows to shut down FCT after Tinubu’s project inauguration

(NAN)