The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has declared a three-day warning strike beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The strike follows the non-payment of April salaries to 127 of its members, whom the FCT Civil Service Commission accused of absconding after a recent staff verification exercise.

The decision to embark on the strike was reached during an emergency meeting held at the Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja.

In a letter dated May 5, 2025, and addressed to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the association stated: “We hereby declare a 3-day warning strike, effective from 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 6th May 2025 to 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 9th May 2025.”

ARD-FCTA, which represents resident doctors and medical officers in 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, including the Department of Public Health, condemned the salary withholding as arbitrary and unjust.

In the letter signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong, the association said: “We observe with deep anger and utmost disappointment the arbitrary and unjust withholding of April salaries affecting 127 members of our association and other health workers, despite undergoing the tedious verification process. This action was taken without prior notice or due diligence and is completely unacceptable.”

“We noticed how outrageously these workers were falsely tagged as having absconded and their names removed from the payment platform by the Civil Service Commission, even though hospital services have continued uninterrupted. At a time when the welfare and remuneration of health workers is already depleted, such a move is not only insensitive but outrightly provocative. Over 100 dedicated staff have now been denied their rightful earnings – a disgraceful decision that has caused untold emotional, physical, psychological, and financial hardship.

“What is equally disturbing is the complete exclusion of key stakeholders from this decision-making process by the Civil Service Commission. The Medical Directors of the affected hospitals, the Director General of the Hospital Management Board, the Permanent Secretary of Health, and even the Mandate Secretary were all sidelined. This lack of consultation reveals a clear breakdown in governance and accountability”.

Among others, the association equally demanded the sack of the chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Engr. Emeka Ezeh.

Ezeh said, “The Chairman and staff of the Commission have shown blatant arrogance, rudeness, and disdain toward staff who approach them for legitimate inquiries. The utterances of the Civil Service Commission range from threatening words to mockery of health workers. They delay routine processes like post-Part 2 conversions, skipping, and promotions simply to assert irrelevant control and power. This kind of toxic and bureaucratic recklessness cannot be allowed to continue”.

It consequently demanded the immediate payment of withheld April salaries to all affected staff without delay and their names added back to the payment platform.

Also, the association demanded an unreserved, written apology from the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission to all affected members, acknowledging the emotional, psychological, physical and financial harm caused.

It also asked for: “the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, whose actions have continuously undermined staff welfare and administrative progress.

“A public disclaimer from the Hospital Management Board affirming that all affected members are duly recognised, confirmed and verified staff of the Board, who had continued to discharge their duties with utmost commitment.

“A peaceful protest march to the Federal Capital Territory Administration to express our discontent and demand justice.

“If all the above demands are not met, the congress will reconvene and shall proceed on an indefinite strike. We will not remain silent while our members are disrespected, underpaid, and emotionally battered. Enough is enough.”

While commending Wike “for the remarkable strides” he is making in transforming infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory, the association equally lauded him for his approval for the employment of 315 healthcare workers, which they described as a much-needed intervention in strengthening the health sector.

However, it noted with concern that the approval was yet to be implemented, and urged that the process be expedited without further delay.