The headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) were on Monday morning completely shut down as workers complied with an indefinite strike declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over unresolved welfare and working condition issues.
By as early as 8:00 a.m., the main gates of the secretariat complex were firmly chained, preventing staff, contractors, and visitors from accessing the premises. The usually bustling administrative hub of the nation’s capital was left eerily deserted.
The industrial action followed a late-Sunday circular issued by JUAC leadership, boldly titled “Code Remain at Home”, directing workers to stay away from their offices in total compliance with the strike order.
“By this notice, all staff are advised to stay at home as the strike action declared by JUAC commences,” the circular read.
“Do not come to work because JUAC taskforce will be on ground to ensure compliance. Aluta Continua! Victoria Acerta! The struggle continues, victory is certain!”
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At the sealed gate, a JUAC official who spoke on condition of anonymity described the strike as a forced decision after prolonged neglect by authorities.
“We have been pushed to the wall. Our agitations for better working conditions in FCTA have been ignored for too long. Enough is enough. We will remain at home until our grievances are addressed,” the official said.
A visit to the complex confirmed a total suspension of activities, with union task forces patrolling entry points and no sign of administrative operations within the premises.
Although full details of the demands were not officially disclosed, union sources revealed that the grievances include unresolved staff welfare issues, conditions of service, and the non-implementation of previously agreed benefits.
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As of press time, neither the FCTA nor the FCDA management had issued an official response to the strike. The silence from the authorities has heightened anxiety among residents and stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory.
“This is a major disruption. If it persists, everything from land administration to coordination of public utilities will be affected. The city’s administrative heartbeat has stopped,” lamented a civil servant who was turned away at the gate.
The strike has sparked growing concerns over the interruption of essential services across the FCT, with no clear indication yet of when negotiations may resume to resolve the impasse.
Leadership