FCT Area Council PHCs, General Hospitals Shut As Health Workers Join Strike

Patients at primary healthcare centres and general hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) area councils were left stranded on Wednesday as health workers joined the ongoing strike declared by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).

The action has crippled service delivery at key public facilities, leaving many residents with no option but to travel long distances for medical care.

The JUAC, an umbrella body for workers in the FCT Administration (FCTA), declared an indefinite strike last Monday, citing what it described as the FCTA’s “breach of trust,” “inaction,” and deliberate demoralisation of the workforce over unresolved grievances.

Since the strike commenced, primary and secondary schools in the six area councils, and agencies such as the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Water Board have remained shut.

At various general hospitals on Wednesday, patients were seen waiting for hours with no staff on duty, Daily Trust reported.

“I came this morning for a medical checkup, only to learn the workers are on strike. I now have to go back home and look for an alternative,” said Mrs Grace Yohana, a patient at the Naharati Comprehensive Health Centre, Abaji.

Similarly, Mr Ibrahim Saleh lamented the closure, “I came to get a prescription, but I was surprised to find no one here. I was told the workers are on strike. It is a difficult situation for those of us who cannot afford private care.”

Residents of the Kwaku community in Kuje and the Yebu community in Kwali said they now have to travel long distances to the city centre to access treatment at expensive private hospitals.

JUAC Appeals Court Ruling

Meanwhile, the Joint Union Action Committee on Wednesday filed an appeal against the National Industrial Court’s ruling that ordered workers to immediately call off the strike.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had dragged JUAC leaders to court, contending that the strike did not comply with the Trade Disputes Act and arguing that the union, led by President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, is not a registered trade union.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim ordered the resumption of work to prevent the “total paralysis of government business.”

While acknowledging that the right to strike exists, the judge cited Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Disputes Act, which bars industrial action after a dispute is referred to the Industrial Court.

Following the ruling, Wike warned of “consequences” for staff who failed to resume duties. However, workers, now represented by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, have moved the matter to the Court of Appeal.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its Abuja‑based affiliate unions to “reinforce, intensify and sustain” the strike, effectively countermanding the court’s directive.

In a circular signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and Acting Secretary Benson Upah, the Congress cited “continued neglect of workers’ welfare and persistent intimidation” as reasons to ignore the court order.

The NLC also urged members to take part in daily “Solidarity Sessions” from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at designated venues, warning that “any retreat at this stage will only embolden further violations.”

Some workers who reported for duty at the FCTA Secretariat on Wednesday told Daily Trust they did so “out of fear.”

Responding to the situation, the FCT minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, claimed that many workers did not support the strike action.

Olayinka said, “People are already working; we are resuming. The truth of the matter is that most of the workers were not in support of the strike action. That was the reason the union leaders had to barricade the gates and force people to comply. When people are genuinely aggrieved, you don’t need to force them.”