By Olawumi Oyehan,Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to the welfare of the FCT workforce.

Addressing workers at Eagle Square, Abuja, on the occasion of the 2026 International Workers’ Day, the FCT Minister emphasized that the nation’s progress is built on the “sweat and sacrifice” of its workforce.

He highlighted a series of landmark reforms within the FCT administration aimed at restoring the dignity of labour.

The Minister said the current administration has restructured the Civil Service with the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, allowing Directors to rise to the rank of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service for the first time in history.

Furthermore, the Minister said the Administration has also cleared the backlog of all outstanding peculiar allowances and settled 22 months of Rural Allowances of Health workers in remote communities to ensure that essential workers are fairly compensated, regardless of their locations.

The Minister also announced the resolution of an eight-month backlog in contributory pension remittances to secure the future of the FCT workforce and restore trust in the government as a responsible employer.

Additionally, Barr. Wike pointed out that the administration successfully intervened in the education sector, where proactive wage adjustments effectively averted primary school teachers’ strikes, thereby safeguarding the uninterrupted education of FCT children.

While underscoring the administration’s commitment to the legal sector, the Minister disclosed the construction of new residences for judges and accommodation for 600 students and staff at the Nigerian Law School.

He added that the administration has also digitized court processes for the FCT judiciary—reducing manual strain on workers, eliminating human errors, and easing the psychological burden of backlogs.

On the recent promotions of over 2,000 workers in January and 1,500 in March 2026, the Minister, urged workers to reciprocate the government’s investment by shunning “the culture of ‘I don’t care,’” workplace bullying, and corruption.

He said, “Productivity must match our new welfare packages. The files you delay, the patient you ignore… all of these hurt the same people we claim to serve. Dialogue has worked for us, and strike should always be the last resort.”

The Minister also expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership and praised the President’s recent national policies, including the 100% exit package for retirees and the Employee Compensation Scheme, which provide critical social safety nets for workers beyond their years of active service.

He reaffirmed that the FCT Administration remains a dedicated partner to organized labor, prioritizing the mental health, dignity, and prosperity of every worker.

He called for a united front between labor and government to tackle the economic and security challenges hindering national development.