FCT Workers Dismiss Rumours of Salary Cut by Wike

ABUJA, (iexclusivenews) – The Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has debunked the rumours circulating on social media that the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has slashed the salaries and allowances of workers amid inflation.

Mr Matilukuro Oluwakorede, the JUAC President, said in a statement on Saturday in Abuja that the workers have nothing against the minister over the alleged salary cut.

He said the workers have an internal issue that they have resolved amicably with the FCTA management.

He urged the public to disregard the false information in circulation, saying it is not emanating from them.

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No Problem with Wike

Olyuwakorede said, “We love our minister. We don’t have any issue against him as at this moment that I am talking to you, and I wish to be quoted anywhere.”

He explained that JUAC had fought for some allowances, such as peculiar allowance, hazard allowance and others, that were not budgeted for in the 2023 budget.

He said the allowances overshot FCTA and FCDA personnel budget, and the FCTA management called the leadership of the committee over the challenge.

He added that they all agreed at the meeting that the remaining funds in the vault should be used to pay October salary but may affect peculiar allowances.

“We realised that the little fund remaining may affect peculiar allowance, and we say we don’t mind stepping it down by one month, while the FCT Administration does the needful against the remaining months.

“So that by November, we return to normalcy. So, I don’t know why journalists are just cashing out on this.

“But I wish to say unequivocally, that we don’t have any problem with our distinguished honourable minister or the minister of state or even the permanent secretary of FCTA.

“We are in good relationship and this decision that we have taken, is for the best interest of staff generally,” the president said.

Salary Shortfall for October

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JUAC leadership had on Friday issued a circular, signed by its President and General Secretary, Mr Akuh Sunday, intimating their members on salary shortfall for October.

JUAC explained in the circular that FCTA and FCDA management had asked the committee to sensitise all staff on the inability to pay the salary of all staff in October.

The development, it said, was because FCTA personal budget vote has been exhausted following the payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, hazard allowance and other allowances.

The committee, however, noted that the payment of the allowance in some Departments, Secretariat and Agencies were not budgeted for.

“In view of the above, JUAC insisted that instead of not paying salary at all in October, management should handle the matter in this manner.

“First, the October salary be paid without the peculiar allowance which is what the current personnel cost vote can carry.

“Secondly, between now and November, virement will be made to transfer funds from other votes to beef up the personnel cost vote to enable management to pay November Salary in full.

“In addition, the arrears for the peculiar allowance of October will be paid in November alongside the arrears for the N35,000 wage award.

“JUAC agreed to these terms because it believes that this is the best bargain and decision that it could take in the best interest of the entire staff of FCTA and FCDA, given the current situation we have found ourselves,” JUAC had said in the circular.