FCT : Traders, Food Vendors, Rejoice As Court Calls Off JUAC Strike

There was visible excitement and relief in Tuesday among petty traders and food vendors that operate around the FCDA/ FCTA Secretariat following the suspension of strike order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

The suspension of the strike by workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the FCT Administration, had lasted for 7 consecutive working days, disrupting socio- economic activities.

The strike had crippled government activities, slowed down administrative procedures, and drastically reduced human traffic around the secretariats, a situation that hit small-scale food sellers the hardest.

At Area 11, Garki, many vendors could not hide their joy as news filtered in that workers had been directed to resume duty while negotiations continue.

Accoding to Miss. Blessing Okorie, a banana and groundnut seller near the Federal Secretariat,”Today is like a new beginning for us, some of us depend on daily sales to survive “.

“During the strike, some days I sold nothing. Government workers are our main customers. When they stopped coming, our business almost died.” she said.

Some vendors recounted how they were forced to cut down the quantity for cooking, dispose or forced to consume unsold food, and even borrow money to sustain their families.

“I used to cook for more than 50 people daily, but during the strike, I could hardly get 10 customers. Sometimes I had leftover food that was supposed to fetch me money. It was painful.”

With the court’s intervention and the directive for workers to return to work, vendors are already preparing for increased patronage from Wednesday.

“We are happy the court stepped in,” said Miis. Okorie. “We are praying that the government and the unions will settle their issue quickly so there will be no more strike.”

While workers cautiously prepare to resume, the lifting of the strike has brought renewed hope to dozens of informal traders whose livelihoods depend on the daily sales made from the secretariats.

For many food vendors, the end of the strike is not just a legal victory, but a lifeline.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji