Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike, shutting down government offices across Abuja, following a directive by the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) after the expiration of an ultimatum issued to management over unresolved labour and welfare issues, with key administrative offices, including the FCTA Secretariat, locked as workers stayed away from duty, security operatives deployed to affected premises, and members of the public turned back at the gates, while JUAC, in a statement signed by its president, Rifkatu Lortyer, and secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, said workers withdrew their services after management “failed to address long-standing labour and welfare issues,” including non-payment of promotion arrears, delayed career progression, alleged non-remittance of pension and National Housing Fund contributions which could “jeopardise the future welfare of affected staff,” concerns over the outcome of the 2024 promotion examinations, and the continued extension of service for retired directors and permanent secretaries which the union said was “blocking the career progression of serving officers,” as workers were earlier instructed under a “Code Remain at Home” notice that “All staff are advised to stay at home as the strike action declared by JUAC commences on Monday,” with a task force to ensure compliance, while the union vowed to sustain the action until its demands are met, recalling similar protests in June 2025 over stalled promotions, poor working conditions and delayed salaries, and noting that despite partial concessions after a 21-day ultimatum, most demands remain unresolved, with routine government operations under the FCTA and FCDA currently grounded and efforts to reach the union’s president unsuccessful.
