Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has approved the release of N700 million for the payment of retirement benefits of 75 workers in Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who retired in 2004.
The Permanent Secretary of the FCT, Chinyeaka Ohaa, who announced at the sign off ceremony on the resolution of 2004 FCDA retirees matter while receiving the retirees, said that the entitlements of the 75 beneficiaries would be paid directly into their accounts within two weeks.
The resolution of the matter, which has been a subject of litigation, has been stalled for fourteen years running, causing the affected officers all forms of hardship.
The minister has to use the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) window to resolve the 14 year old dispute.
Ohaa said: “the minister has graciously agreed to bring your challenges to an end, by giving human face to your issue.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2004 retirees, Engineer Audu Umar said that the sign off ceremony is an indication that the present leadership of the FCT Administration is indeed different and poised to address issues bothering on staff welfare.
He appealed to the minister to grant long service award to the affected staff in view of their meritorious service to the nation.
