Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the aegis of the FCTA/FCDA Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) had demanded the take-off of the FCT-Civil Service Commission with immediate effect.
The Chairman, FCTA/FCDA JUAC, Oluwakorede Matilukuro, who made the demand on Wednesday in Abuja, alongside other executives of the union, at a media conference, said that the workers were tired of waiting, even when the National Assembly has passed the policy into law.
He said that the FCT Administration must be told the bitter truth, passionately mobilize and appeal to all relevant stakeholders within and outside the FCT Administration, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, and creating awareness on the unions’ demand for the implementation of the FCT-Civil Service Commission, which was passed into law three years ago.
“It was a huge relief when the National Assembly harkened to the voice of the staff of the FCT Administration, by enacting, passed into law and Gazetted (with the consent of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria) the FCT-Civil Service Commission in 2018.
“This is three years down the line, the big question is why has it been difficult to implement it till date? The FCT-Civil Service Commission was created by an Act of parliament, just like the Federal Civil Service Commission and those of the States Civil Service Commission, with primary responsibility of appointment. Promotion and discipline, also known as (APD), within the FCT,” Matilukuro said.
He said that the implication of the establishment of the FCT-Civil Service Commission is that the sole responsibility of the commission which is APD is taken out of the Department of Human Resources Management.
He said, “The advantage of the is that promotion will be regular; the appointment will be done in-line with the Public Service Rule (PSR), disciplinary cases will be handled with dispatch and the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) will now be equivalent to the Head of Service of the FCT.”
The JUAC boss said that presently, the DHRM is over stretched, despite its weak structure with duties traditionally performed by the Head of Service and Civil Service Commission in other states.
While listing the advantages of bringing on board the Civil Service Commission of the FCT, he also said that the department of HRM will now operate fully and effectively as the office of the Head of Service of the FCTA, with handling of rules and regulations; postings, policies and Establishment Matters; and staff welfare and training matters among others.
The union, therefore charge the Minister and his Team, to respect the great effort put together by the 8h National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari by immediately effecting the implementation of the FCT-Civil Service Commission.
He also demanded immediate action on other outstanding issues including implementation of the FCT-Civil Service Commission (and Order 1, 2004); removal of all FCTA Staff from the Accountant-General IPPIS and immediate release of the 2018 Area Council Service Commission staff promotion; release of all pending cases of staff Conversion, Upgrading and Advancement; and payment of all outstanding staff pension deductions (including 2004 – 2007); filling all the vacant directorate positions and confirmation of all Ag. Directors who have stayed over six months among others.
