The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called off its three-month-old strike following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The decision was announced in a statement jointly signed by the union’s president, Ibrahim Kabir, and secretary, Andulmumini Sa’ad, in Abuja on Monday. According to the statement, the strike was suspended effective from midnight, following extensive deliberations by the State Executive Council (SEC).
The union stated that the suspension came after Wike directed the use of 10 percent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils to pay the workers’ three months’ salary arrears.
Additionally, the minister constituted a special committee to work with NULGE in harmonising all outstanding arrears within two weeks. This initiative, the union noted, aims to facilitate a comprehensive resolution of the dispute through the House Committee on FCT and Ancillary Matters at the National Assembly.
The union pledged to continue engaging with area council chairmen to address remaining concerns, stressing its commitment to industrial peace and harmony across the FCT.
“We express our profound gratitude to the FCT minister, the traditional council of the FCT, and all relevant stakeholders for their efforts in resolving the industrial action,” the union stated.
Among the unresolved issues cited by NULGE are the payment of a 40 percent peculiar allowance from January 2023, 25 percent and 35 percent salary adjustments from June 2023, the N35,000 wage award for six months starting from August 2024, unremitted pension deductions, promotion arrears, and other pending entitlements.
The union reaffirmed its dedication to dialogue and called for swift action in addressing the remaining demands.