Meet Demands of Striking FCT Workers, CDWR Charges FCT Minister, Council Chairmen

By Chinedu Echianu

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Abuja Chapter, has strongly condemned the alleged refusal of the six Area Council Chairmen and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to meet the demands of Area council workers who have been on indefinite strike since March, 24, 2025.

The workers, consisting of primary school teachers, primary healthcare personnel and other council staff had embarked on the strike due to non-implementation of the new national minimum wage law.

A statement signed by the head of CDWR, Abuja chapter, Adaramoye Michael says the strike has led to lack of services in the primary health centers which are mostly relied on by rural dwellers.

Additionally, it said thousands of students are currently out of school and roaming the streets due to the government’s refusal to meet the legitimate demands of their teachers even as the secretariat buildings of Area Councils are presently non-functional.

The statement described the negligence of workers in the FCT as callous, adding that many communities are in danger of a health crisis due to the strike.

While calling on the FCT Minister and Chairmen of the Area Councils to immediately meet the demands of the workers, CDWR condemned the shift of attention to the forthcoming Area council elections while workers in the nation’s capital continue to live in penury.

The statement read in parts; “We in the CDWR demand the immediate meeting of the demands of the striking workers; the implementation of the new minimum wage must commence immediately, and the arrears must also be paid immediately.

Sadly, many of these Area Council chairpersons have shifted their attention to the forthcoming area council elections while workers and Abuja people are being neglected.

“It is not true that the Area councils and the government are not rich enough to pay the workers. A look at the abysmal condition of the infrastructure of schools and hospitals will reveal a complete neglect by these administrators; one would begin to wonder what these Area council chairpersons are using the allocations for.

“Also, these Area council chairpersons are earning an outrageous amount as salaries and emoluments, yet they want us to believe there is no money for workers to receive their legitimate pay. If the Area councils are truly poor, why are the chairperson and their cronies receiving humongous salaries and allowances? This is a case of poverty for the workers and opulence for the chairmen.

“Also, the FCT minister just splashed N39 billion to repair the International Conference Centre, which has now been renamed after the president who has maintained criminal silence on the plight of workers.

“We commend the doggedness of the workers who have been on strike since March 24, after several warning strikes and protest actions. We also support the 3-day mass protest scheduled to commence on Monday. We call on the FCT leadership of NLC, who have stood by the affected FCT workers to mobilize workers in other unions to support the protest action of the striking workers. Such a show of solidarity is needed to put more pressure on the government and ensure the demands of the FCT workers are met.

We also believe that the national leaderships of the NLC, NUT, NULGE, NANNAM must openly lend their weight to the struggle and demand of the FCT workers. The Tinubu government and area council administrations must be forced to fully implement the new minimum wage for the FCT workers and also settle all arrears.” The statement concluded.