Reps decry non-payment of staff salaries in FCT area councils

The House of Representatives on Wednesday raised concern over non-payment of the salaries of members of staff of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since Nov. 2015.

This followed the adoption of a motion under matters of urgent national importance raised by Rep. Abubakar Yunusa (APC-Gombe).

In his motion, Yunusa observed that the delay in payment of staff salaries was causing untold hardship to the workers who were now finding it difficult to transport themselves to their various places of work.

The lawmaker added that the workers were also finding it difficult to pay for their healthcare services.

He said that the staff members were mobilising to embark on strike over the unpaid salaries.

“The staff of the six area councils are getting ready to go on strike during the first week of February, if their salaries are not paid,’’ Yunusa told the House.

He expressed concern that if nothing was done to avert the impending strike; it could paralyse socio-economic activities in the territory.

The House urged the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello to intervene and ensure the salaries were paid to avert the strike and its negative impact on the FCT.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara referred the matter to the Committee on FCT for further legislative action. (NAN)