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HOUSE MOVES TO ADDRESS NON PAYMENT OF SALARY TO WORKERS IN FCT AREA COUNCILS

HOUSE MOVES TO ADDRESS NON PAYMENT OF SALARY TO WORKERS IN FCT AREA COUNCILS
The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Federal Capital Territory to weigh in on the looming industrial action by the staff of the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over nonpayment of salary by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The matter was brought to the fore by Hon. Yunusa Abubakar on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 during plenary session intimating the House on the need for the parliament to weigh in on the matter with a view to preventing possible industrial actions capable of crippling the economic development of the Area Councils.

Hon. Abubakar prayed the House to see the issue as a matter of urgent public importance especially now that the aggrieved staff are threatening to embark on strike action and shut down businesses in the Councils. He urged the House to be responsive and allow the standing Committee on FCT to move to address the plight of the workers.

On a similar note, the House has directed its Committee on Marine Safety to quickly intervene via investigation on the reports of some Nigerian students who were sent overseas to study on scholarship by the Nigerian Maritime Management Agency (NIMASA), but have been abandoned by the Agency after concluding the first phase of their study. Hon. Fredrick, who raised the matter on the floor of the House opined that the students who are presently at home face the misfortune of having their programs terminated by their respective schools.

Also, during Wednesday's plenary, the Federal lawmakers have urged the Federal Government to exercise caution in the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) until Nigeria is adequately industrialized to be able to trade competitively in finished products.  This came on the heels of a motion moved by Hon. Segun Adekola, calling for caution pending the ascertaining of the nature of the agreement.

The House has mandated its Committee on Commerce and Industry, Integration and Cooperation in Africa to study the cost-benefit implications of implementing the EPA by the Federal Government of Nigeria and report back within four weeks.


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