Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, operating under the umbrella of the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), have issued a pressing call for the immediate resolution of critical welfare matters that are severely impacting their morale and output.
Union President Highlights Long-Standing Grievances
The appeal was made public by the President of JUAC, Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer, during a news briefing held in Abuja on Friday, January 17, 2026. Iortyer stated that the conference aimed to draw the FCT Administration's attention to unresolved problems plaguing employees across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Core Demands and Specific Complaints
The union leader outlined a comprehensive list of grievances that have festered for too long. A primary concern is the non-remittance of deducted pension and National Housing Fund contributions, effectively depriving workers of their future benefits.
Another major issue is the unlawful centralization of salary preparation and payment. The union demands that salary desk officers in various MDAs be allowed to handle their own payroll processes, as was the previous practice. Iortyer also condemned the non-payment of officers from the Abuja Environment Protection Board and the Social Development Secretariat who are tasked with law enforcement.
Governance Issues and Call for Action
Further administrative concerns were raised, including the absence of a financial threshold for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs, and the controversial elongation of tenure for some retired directors and Permanent Secretaries. "We demand the immediate removal of these officers and their replacement with qualified and deserving officers," Iortyer insisted.
The list of woes extends to non-payment of outstanding wage awards, unpaid promotion arrears, poor working conditions, staff intimidation, and a lack of training and retention programs. The union also formally rejected the mass failure recorded in the 2024 promotion examination and is demanding its reversal.
"These issues are not new, but they have been festering for far too long, causing undue hardship and frustration to the very individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving this nation," Iortyer declared.
She concluded with a firm warning: "We demand immediate action on these issues, and we will continue to raise our voices until they are addressed. We are not just fighting for the rights of workers, but for the future of the FCT Administration and our nation."
