Local government employees in the Bwari Area Council of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are preparing to resume duties on Thursday after a three-month industrial action prompted by unpaid wages and welfare issues.
Mr Emmanuel Ishaku, chairman of NULGE’s Bwari branch, shared the update in a telephone interview on Wednesday, noting that while the initial directive had been to return on Tuesday, a national public holiday for late former President Muhammadu Buhari delayed the plan. The union also took time to ensure that council offices were fully fumigated ahead of resumption.
“This was necessary to provide a clean and safe workspace so that staff can resume comfortably on Thursday,” Ishaku stated.
During the strike, which began on 24 March, NULGE and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) demanded settlement of minimum wage arrears and other welfare commitments. The prolonged action affected local services across the six area councils of the FCT.
The NUT suspended its strike on 9 July following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. NULGE subsequently reached an agreement to resume work on 14 July after a State Executive Council meeting, where union leaders cited appeals from the minister, the FCT Traditional Council and other influential figures.
As part of the resolution, the Minister directed that 10 per cent of the Area Councils’ internally generated revenue be channelled towards clearing three months’ salary arrears. A special committee, which will include union representatives, aims to address any further outstanding payments within the next two weeks.
Although staff have received part-payment for five months of salary arrears, full payment of entitlements remains under negotiation.
A reporter from NAN observed on Wednesday that the Bwari council offices were still closed, awaiting the planned reopening on Thursday.
