The FCT Administration has appealed to workers of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB), to halt their planned industrial action over non-payment of Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, made the appeal during an emergency meeting with the workers led by the Chairman of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), Oluwakorede Matilukuro, on Thursday in Abuja.
Adesola urged the staff to stop the planned strike in the interest of peace and industrial harmony in Abuja.
The permanent secretary noted that his office was not opposed to paying the workers their entitlements but was only waiting for the process to be completed by the National Wages and Salary Commission.
He, therefore, urged the workers to be patient and show understanding with the administration for the procedure to be diligently followed and completed.
Adesola explained that the present leadership of the FCT Administration was workers’ friendly and places high priority on the welfare and the well-being of workers.
He, however, said that the implementation of a salary structure code named ‘Research and Allied Institutions’ could have long-term implications for the careers of the officers.
Adesola appealed to the union to exercise more patience, adding that the action being undertaken was in the best interest of all.
”Embarking on industrial action will not serve anyone’s best interest at this time considering the efforts the current FCT administration is reputed for paying FCT worker’s salary as and when due.”