FCT workers’ strike: CSOs bemoan effects on residents

A Cohort of nine civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating for the rights of the Original Inhabitants of the FCT has bemoaned the negative effects of the ongoing strike action by FCT council workers.

The CSOs in a joint statement on Sunday in Abuja called for a speedy resolution of the issues that led to these strikes.

• Workers shut FCT council secretariats over salary
• https://dailytrust.com/striking-workers-ground-govt-businesses-in-fct

They said that industrial actions by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and that of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have a direct effect on the basic rights of Original Inhabitants of the nation’s capital.

“Resolving these issues with immediate effect will accord Original Inhabitants and other residents in the FCT a continued enjoyment of key social services, which have been shut down since the disputes began.

“We call to all actors to heed the fact that by their actions and refusal to find lasting solutions, the basic rights of FCT Original Inhabitants; such as the right to quality basic education and healthcare services, are currently being denied,” they said.

They said that since the strike by the NUT began in January, public primary schools across the Area Councils have been closed resulting in a direct negative impact on the education of children.

They said, “Many parents are not able to afford to send their children to private schools, rely on the public school system which has now come to a complete halt. The downing of tools by the NULGE over alleged non release of Area Council allocations by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has further compounded the plight of FCT Original Inhabitants.

“Because of the industrial action, key functions of the local governments, especially related to healthcare delivery at the grassroots and the prevention or curtailing the spread of diseases has been put in abeyance.”

Members of the cohort are Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organization, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, Centre for Environmental Sustainability & Development Awareness, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, HipCity Innovation Center, Mairo Women Foundation, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Association of FCT Traditional Rulers Wives; and Helpline Foundation for the Needy.