Wike, NLC, and TUC bury the Hatchet as they put an End to FCT workers’ crisis
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The leadership of organized labor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have resolved the dispute involving FCT workers after intense negotiations in Abuja. The agreement ends the industrial action that disrupted activities across the FCT in recent days.
The truce followed a marathon meeting convened by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, which lasted over three hours. Reports indicated that discussions started on a tense note, with heated exchanges before calm was eventually restored.
It was gathered that Senator Bomoi stepped in to appeal to both parties to set aside their differences and engage constructively. The meeting, which began shortly before midnight, ended at about 3:50 am on Tuesday.
Those present at the meeting included Nyesom Wike, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo. Also in attendance were secretaries of both labor centers and other key stakeholders involved in the FCT workers dispute.
Organized labor had earlier maintained that it would not back down on the planned mass protest to press home the demands of FCT workers. The police had advised the labour to reschedule the protest in the interest of safety, while the minister also secured an interim court order restraining the action.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, said it was agreed that no worker would be victimized over the industrial action. He added that all pending cases at the National Industrial Court would be withdrawn immediately.
He said, “All affiliates are hereby informed that a conciliatory meeting was held between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the instance of the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi.
“At the conclusion of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached: All complaints presented by JUAC members were taken one after the other and fully addressed. The Honourable Minister assured organized labor of mutual respect and sustained engagement going forward.”
Upah further announced that FCT workers had been directed to resume duties immediately.
“Consequently, all JUAC members and all affiliates of the TUC and NLC working in the Ministry of the FCT are hereby directed to resume work immediately,” he said.
He urged strict compliance with the directive in the interest of peace. “All affiliates are enjoined to comply strictly with this directive in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, in good faith,” he added.
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