Agreement Reached Between Wike and Labour Leaders Over FCTA Worker Strike

The leadership of organized labour and Nyesom Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, have successfully resolved the ongoing dispute that has recently disrupted activities in the country’s capital.

The two sides reached an amicable agreement after a lengthy meeting facilitated by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Mohammed Bomoi, which lasted over three hours.

According to our correspondent, the initial discussions were heated, featuring a shouting match, but a calmer atmosphere was restored after intervention from the lawmaker leading the talks.

The meeting commenced shortly before midnight and wrapped up around 3:50 AM on Tuesday. Present were Wike, along with the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo.

Representatives from both labor centers and other key stakeholders were also in attendance.

As reported by Daily Trust, organized labour had previously declared on Monday that it would proceed with a large-scale protest to demand the rights of FCTA workers.

FCT police had warned the protesters to reconsider their actions, citing safety concerns. Furthermore, the minister had procured an interim court order preventing the NLC and TUC from moving forward with their protest.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, informed the press that both parties agreed that no worker would face any form of reprisal for participating in the strike.

Alongside the General Secretary of the TUC, Nuhu Toro, and other labor leaders, Upah indicated that all pending cases at the National Industrial Court would be withdrawn immediately.

Upah stated, “Organized labour is hereby notified that a conciliatory meeting was conducted with Minister Nyesom Wike at the request of Senator Mohammed Bomoi, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT.

“At the end of this meeting, we reached several resolutions: all complaints from JUAC members were systematically addressed.

“The Honourable Minister assured the organized labour of mutual respect and ongoing engagement in the future.”

He subsequently announced that all workers within the FCT were ordered to return to work without delay.

“Thus, all JUAC members and affiliates of the TUC and NLC working within the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) are instructed to resume their duties immediately.

“All affiliates are also urged to adhere strictly to this directive to promote industrial peace and cooperation, done in good faith.”