Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, commissioned 12 newly procured ambulances for public hospitals across Abuja.

He also directed the immediate recruitment of health personnel to strengthen service delivery.

Wike said the ambulances were part of a broader effort by the FCT Administration to improve emergency healthcare and overall health outcomes for residents.

He commended the Mandate Secretary and staff of the Health and Environmental Secretariat for driving the initiative, noting that the intervention underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting emergency medical services.

According to the minister, inherited outstanding allowances had been settled without recourse to industrial action.

He defended the administration’s emphasis on road infrastructure and education, stressing that functional roads were critical to the effectiveness of emergency services.

Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration was in the process of rehabilitating and furnishing 14 health centres across the territory, as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade healthcare facilities.

Earlier, the Mandate Secretary for Health and Environmental Services, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, described the commissioning as a major milestone in strengthening emergency healthcare delivery in the FCT.

However, workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), resumed their indefinite strike, which they initially began on January 19 over unresolved welfare concerns.

It was observed that only a few workers were present across FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies, a stark contrast to Wednesday’s heavy turnout.

The low attendance followed JUAC’s directive for workers to remain at home.

The strike resumption comes after JUAC filed an appeal against the National Industrial Court ruling of January 27, which had instructed the workers to suspend the action and adjourned the case to March 23.

The union pursued the appeal through its lead counsel, Femi Falana (SAN).

Following the court’s ruling, the acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, directed all workers to resume duties on Wednesday.

But Wike has warned that there would be consequences for any worker who failed to return to work.

He also assured the staff that the FCTA remained open to reasonable negotiations, noting that “the majority of the demands have been addressed.”

Despite the directives, JUAC’s Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, informed workers in a circular on Wednesday that the strike would continue from yesterday due to the appeal.

He urged the workers “to stay at home and pray for the success of the strike”, stressing that the struggle demands unity, discipline and unwavering commitment.