Wike’s Strategy at Reducing Poverty, Employment in FCT,

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.

For the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Nzenwo Nyesom Wike CON, the quest to improve the living standards of residents of FCT is not only on improved infrastructure among many others , but provision of gainful employment as a corrolary to ensuring a sane livelihood.

Therefore, providing gainful employment to the citizens of the FCT and Nigerians will guarantee adequate security of lives and properties, social security among many others .

The recent decision by the Wike led administration in the FCT to give life to ordinary Nigerians through granting of employment opportunities not minding the political implications and undertone will go down history.

Considering the charged political environment and decisions, the recent confirmation of about 2000 workers employed by the previous administration is unique and rare in decision usually taking by public officers .

Rather than laying them off and employing his own staffers , the Minister took the decision of regularizing the employment status of workers already employed over a decade ago.

The confirmation of appointment of 1,659 workers employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 2016 and 2019 was a distinct decision to improve the life of ordinary citizens and gainful employment.

The Minister’s approval was based on performance of the the 1,659 confirmed workers who were among the 2,281, who sat for the confirmation examination conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission on Feb. 28.

Some of the workers who sat for the confirmation examination were employed as far back as 2016 and 2019.

The Minister by his decision intend to confirm about 2,512 candidates were invited for the confirmation examination but only 2,281 turned up.

“A total of 224 officers were absent, fueling suspicion that they could be ghost workers.”

“Some of the workers, who sat for the confirmation were employed as far back as 2016 and 2019, while others were employed shortly before Wike assumed office in August 2023.”

The Commission in line with the Minister’s directive had concluded arrangements to conduct both the 2025 and 2026 promotions, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to renew the hope of the FCTA workforce.

With the creation of employment opportunities through confirmation of backlog of those employed a decade away and recently, no doubt will reduce to the barest minimum the scourge of unemployment in the nation’s city.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.