By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike has disclosed that he has just approved over N12bn January salaries of workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration immediately after the Court ruling suspending the strike embarked on by the workers since last week.
Wike made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists in his office shortly after the ruling by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria NICN, ordering the striking workers to discontinue the action and return to work.
The Minister hinges the level of strike action embarked upon by the FCTA workers as a manifestation of the handiwork of some politicians who had thought they could use it to settle score, noting that government has largely met workers’ legitimate demands despite the ongoing strike.
He said the administration decided to seek legal intervention as a measure to prevent break down of law and order.
According to the Minister: ” I just signed January salaries amounting to over ₦12 billion.
“Yet the FCT is entitled to only one per cent of federal revenue. If the Federal Government earns ₦1 trillion, the FCT gets about ₦10 billion. That allocation alone cannot even cover salaries, not to talk of running the administration.”
He explained that the government initially chose dialogue and engagement when the strike began, noting that it did not rush to court.
“When the strike started, we believed in dialogue. We felt the issues could be resolved through discussion. But when it became clear that politicians have hijacked the strike, we had no choice but to go to court and allow the law to decide,” Wike stated.
The minister acknowledged workers’ rights in a democracy but insisted that strike action should always be a last resort.
“This is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest. But if workers made 14 demands and government addressed like 10, there should be room for understanding and patience,” he said.
Drawing from his experience as a former governor and local government chairman, Wike said he understood labour struggles but warned against unrealistic demands.
“When demands are legitimate, government should acknowledge them. But it is not always possible to implement everything at once. Government does not deny legitimate entitlements, especially wages,” he added.
Wike also dismissed claims that he was chased out of office during the strike, describing such reports as false and politically motivated.
“I was in my office, went to the airport to see off Mr President,who was travelling to Turkey, and returned. These stories are deliberate misinformation,” he said.
On revenue challenges, the minister disclosed that the administration has significantly improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increasing it from about ₦9 billion when he assumed office to ₦30 billion.
“When we take steps to improve IGR, people complain. But that progress is what sustains salaries, reforms, and development,” he said.
He highlighted key reforms under the current administration, including the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, appointment of permanent secretaries, and establishment of the Office of the Head of Service.
“Before now, workers retired at director level, but they can now rise to Permanent Secretary. This was made possible by the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“You cannot expect government to spend all available revenue on wages alone while neglecting massive infrastructure development,” Wike noted.
Following the court order suspending the strike, the minister issued a stern warning to workers.
“Disobeying the law has consequences. From tomorrow, any worker who refuses to resume work will face disciplinary action. Anyone who attempts to block government facilities will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
Earlier, while responding to the Court judgement, the President of the FCTA Joint Union Action Committee JUAC, Mrs Rifkatu Iorter appealed to the striking workers to be law-abiding, follow today’s order of interlocutory injunction refraining them from continuing with the strike.
