Your appeal not stay of execution, Wike tells striking FCTA staff

Your appeal not stay of execution, Wike tells striking FCTA staff

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom
Wike, has cautioned striking staff members of the FCT Administration, asserting
that the mere filing of a notice of appeal against a court ruling does not
constitute an automatic stay of execution.

 

While workers had returned to work on Wednesday, they got a
notice of continuation of strike from their union, which premises its decision
on the basis of an appeal filed on its behalf by its legal team.

 

Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court of
Nigeria had on Tuesday mandated that the industrial action initiated by the
Joint Unions Action Committee JUAC be suspended immediately following a case
instituted against the union by the FCT Administration.

 

Speaking on Thursday during the official distribution of 12
new ambulances to hospitals across the territory, the minister addressed the
ongoing industrial friction involving JUAC.

 

The union recently initiated a strike following legal
disputes regarding welfare and the leadership and administrative structure of
the FCT Civil Service, including controversies over the tenure of certain
officials and the implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act.

 

Wike expressed disappointment over the resort to litigation
and strikes, suggesting that some elements within the workforce may be acting
on political motives rather than genuine labour grievances.

 

He noted that the administration has remained open to
dialogue and has already met the majority of the workers’ demands.

 

“Let me say that the mere fact that I filed a notice of
appeal does not automatically mean there is a stay of execution.

 

“I have said litigation is not the best, but we have no
choice. When you begin to join us as politicians, we will treat you as
politicians. “I cannot treat you well as civil servants while you act as a
political opponent trying to run the administration down,” he said.

 

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The minister pointed out the ironies of the current unrest,
pointing out that his administration was the first to implement the FCT Civil
Service Commission, which allowed directors to rise to the rank of permanent
secretary and established a dedicated head of service – milestones that had
eluded the FCTA since its inception.

 

Despite the labour tensions, the minister emphasised his
administration’s commitment to a holistic approach to governance.

 

He argued that the heavy investment in road infrastructure,
which some critics had questioned, was a prerequisite for an effective health
system.

 

“These ambulances may break down when there are no good
roads. If there is an emergency and the roads are not in a stable condition,
then the whole sense of the emergency vehicles becomes useless. First things
first, and that is what we have been able to do,” Wike said.

 

Beyond the new fleet of ambulances, the minister revealed
that the administration is currently in the process of rehabilitating and
furnishing 14 health centres across the territory.

 

He also announced that the Head of Service has been directed
to commence the recruitment of additional personnel to address staffing
shortages within the health department.

 

In her remarks, the Mandate Secretary for Health and
Environmental Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, praised the minister for
prioritising the welfare of healthcare professionals.

 

She disclosed that the FCTA has cleared a backlog of
allowances dating back to 2021, including 13 months of hazard allowances, wage
awards, and the Medical Residency Training Fund.

 

“I can confidently say that the FCT is the only state that
has paid all these allowances up to date,” Dr Fasawe stated.

 

She added that strategic road constructions in areas like
Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada have significantly reduced travel times for
emergency services, in some cases cutting a 90-minute journey down to just 30
minutes.

 

The Secretary also cited the recent upgrade of the School of
Nursing to a full-fledged College of Nursing, the first of its kind in the
region, as evidence of a coordinated effort to deliver high-quality healthcare
to FCT residents.

Source: Your appeal not stay of execution, Wike tells striking FCTA staff

 - NigerianEye
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