"Workers in Nigeria Capital, Abuja groan as Wike cuts salaries, allowances amid inflation," a social media publication claimed. JUAC President, Mr. Matilukuro Oluwakorede, made this statement in Abuja on Saturday.
"The public should disregard the information in circulation," stated Olyuwakorede. We are not the source of it. We met and decided on the best course of action to handle our internal problem.
"We don't have anything to do with the current web trends.
"We adore our pastor. As I am speaking with you, we have no issues with him, and I would like to be quoted everywhere.
He clarified that JUAC had campaigned for certain allowances in relation to salaries, but added that the allowances were not included in the 2023 budget.
He named the allowances as "one or two other allowances like that," "perilous allowance," and "hazard allowance."
He clarified that the allowances exceeded the FCTA and FCDA personnel budget and said that the FCTA administration had asked the committee leadership to discuss the issue in light of the development.
He continued by saying that everyone present at the meeting decided that October's salary should be paid with the money still in the vault, however this may have an impact on special allowances.
"After realizing that the meager amount of money left could have an impact on the unique allowance, we decided to reduce it by one month while the FCT Administration took the necessary action with the remaining months.
"so that by November, everything gets back to normal." I'm not sure why journalists are simply profiting off this, though.
"However, I want to be clear that we don't have any issues with our esteemed minister, the state minister, or even the FCTA permanent secretary.
The president remarked, "We have good relations and this decision is for the best interest of staff generally."
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the JUAC leadership informed its members of the October wage deficit in a circular that was sent out on Friday and signed by Mr. Akuh Sunday, the organization's president and general secretary.
In the circular to FCTA and FCDA, JUAC clarified that management had requested the committee to raise awareness among all employees on the incapacity to pay salaries for all employees during the month of October.
The development, it stated, resulted from the FCTA personal budget vote running out after the 40% unique allowance, 40% hazard allowance, and other allowances were paid.
The committee did observe, however, that some Departments, the Secretariat, and Agencies had not budgeted for the payment of the allowance.
In light of the aforementioned, JUAC demanded that management handle the situation in this way rather than withholding wages altogether in October.
"First, the special allowance—which the present personnel cost vote can carry—should not be applied to the October salary.
Second, in order to strengthen the human cost vote and allow management to fully pay the November Salary, virement will be made to move funds from other votes between now and November.
"Along with the arrears for the N35,000 wage award, the October peculiar allowance arrears will also be paid in November."
In the circular, JUAC had stated, "Given the current situation we have found ourselves, JUAC agreed to these terms because it believes that this is the best bargain and decision that it could take in the best interest of the entire staff of FCTA and FCDA."