Salary Cut: Workers Agree With Wike – JUAC President

By Remi Johnson

The Joint Unions Action Committee, JUAC of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, say workers have nothing against Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, over alleged salary cut.

JUAC President, Mr Matilukuro Oluwakorede stated this in Abuja over the weekend while reacting to a social media publication alleging that workers in Abuja were groaning as Wike cuts salaries, allowances amid inflation.

Mr Matilukuro who urged the public to disregard the information, explained that JUAC had fought for some allowances, that were not captured in the 2023 budget.

He confirmed that the shortfall was orchestrated by the payment of FG peculiar wage award/ allowances which were not originally captured in 2023 budget, but assured that JUAC and Management had met and resolved that virement would be made to get additional funds to address the matter in the November salary.

“In view of the above, JUAC insisted that instead of not paying salary at all in October, management should handle the matter in this manner.First, the October salary be paid without the peculiar allowance which is what the current personnel cost vote can carry”.

“Secondly, between now and November, virement will be made to transfer funds from other votes to beef up the personnel cost vote to enable management to pay November Salary in full. In addition, the arrears for the peculiar allowance of October will be paid in November alongside the arrears for the N35,000 wage award.

“We love our minister. We don’t have any issue against him as at this moment that I am talking to you, and I wish to be quoted anywhere.We realised that the little fund remaining may affect peculiar allowance, and we say we don’t mind stepping it down by one month, while the FCT Administration does the needful against the remaining months.

“So that by November, we return to normalcy. So, I don’t know why journalists are just cashing out on this.
But I wish to say unequivocally, that we don’t have any problem with our distinguished honourable minister or the minister of state or even the permanent secretary of FCTA.

“We are in good relationship and this decision that we have taken, is for the best interest of staff generally,” Oluwakorede said.