The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat has returned to full operation following the suspension of a planned solidarity protest by labor unions.
The bustle of activities returned to the complex after a late-night truce was brokered between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and union leaders in the early hours of Tuesday.
A Persecondnews correspondent’s visit to the Minister’s Block, the Treasury Department, the FCDA, and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) on Wednesday confirmed that civil servants have fully resumed their duties.
This restoration of normalcy follows a period of tension that began on January 19, when workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) embarked on an industrial action over welfare disputes.
The resolution came after an intense, multi-hour meeting involving Minister Wike, officials of the FCTA, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Sen. Mohammed Bomoi.
This intervention successfully de-escalated a standoff that had persisted even after a January 27 National Industrial Court order directing workers to return to their posts.
Commenting on the resolution, Minister Wike noted that the agreement was a mutual success, stating, “there was no winner and no loser.”
He expressed delight that the union leaders have seen the realities on ground which had helped to clear misconceptions.
“I’m happy that the trade union and labour congress came to see things for themselves. Sometimes it’s good. What they were told is not really what’s on ground.
“But by and large, we have had a good meeting and they’ve directed the workers to go back to work, which you can see that it has been done.
“So, we’re happy that at the end of the day, there is no winner, no loser. It’s for the interest of Abuja to progress,” said Wike.
Persecondnews reports that the Organized labour had successfully mediated the standoff between JUAC and the FCT Minister on Tuesday, leading to a total resumption of services.
According to a joint statement from the NLC and TUC, Minister Wike has guaranteed sustained dialogue on worker welfare moving forward.
Key terms of the truce include the withdrawal of all ongoing litigation at the National Industrial Court and a firm guarantee against the victimization of striking workers.
With these assurances in place, labor leaders have formally instructed all FCTA staff to return to their posts.
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