Public primary schools and primary healthcare centres across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remained shut on Friday as the ongoing strike by workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) entered its ninth day.
The strike was further reinforced on Monday after the FCT chapters of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) joined the action in solidarity.
Visits to several area councils showed that public primary schools were locked, while many residents who visited local health centres were unable to access services. Parents and patients have expressed concern over the continued disruption, with pupils remaining at home and healthcare services suspended.
However, activities continued at some federal offices, including the FCT Administration Secretariat, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), where workers were seen on duty.
JUAC has directed its members to sustain the strike until all demands are met. The action followed JUAC’s decision to appeal a January 27 ruling of the National Industrial Court, which ordered workers to suspend the strike and adjourned the case to March 23.
JUAC filed the appeal through its lead counsel, Femi Falana, SAN. In a circular, JUAC Secretary Abdullahi Saleh urged workers to remain at home and maintain unity.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have also backed the workers, insisting that the strike should continue until negotiations are held with the FCT Administration.
