Workers in Bwari Area Council, part of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are set to return to work on Thursday following a prolonged three-month strike sparked by unpaid salaries and welfare grievances.
Emmanuel Ishaku, chairman of the Bwari chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), confirmed the resumption plan during a phone interview with The Cabal on Wednesday.
Ishaku explained that although the FCT NULGE secretariat had instructed staff to resume on Tuesday, the directive was delayed by a public holiday declared to honour late former President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as preparations to fumigate office premises.
“This step is essential to create a safe environment for staff to return on Thursday,” he said.
Ishaku also disclosed that employees had received partial payments covering five months of the contested salary arrears.
The strike, which began on 24 March, involved both NULGE and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) across the FCT’s six area councils, driven by frustrations over unpaid minimum wage entitlements and broader welfare concerns.
While the NUT suspended its strike action on 9 July after mediation by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, NULGE announced its decision to follow suit on 14 July after deliberations with key stakeholders. In a communique issued at the conclusion of its State Executive Council meeting in Gwagwalada, the union cited appeals from the FCT Minister, traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
The Minister has since ordered that 10 per cent of the councils’ internally generated revenue be allocated to settle three months’ outstanding salaries, while a special committee will work alongside the union to resolve remaining arrears within two weeks.
The Cabal correspondent who visited the Bwari council secretariat reported that the complex remained closed as of Wednesday, with limited activity in the vicinity.
