JUST-IN: FCTA Resident Doctors suspend Strike

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (ARD-FCTA) has suspended its indefinite strike, with members set to resume duties on Monday at 8 a.m.

Announcing the decision on Friday, ARD-FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, said the suspension followed interventions by the Senate Committee on Federal Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, chaired by Senator David Jimkuta. He noted, however, that none of the doctors’ demands had been met.

The association, which comprises doctors across 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, had downed tools last Monday over unpaid salary arrears ranging from one to six months, non-recruitment of new staff, unpaid 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and arrears from the 25–35 percent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

Other demands include timelines for skipping and conversion processes, regular payment of salaries, conversion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultants within six months, promotion exercises with arrears, payment of wage award arrears, outstanding hazard allowance, and settlement of arrears owed to newly employed external residents. They also called for urgent renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to global standards.

“We are suspending the strike to begin work at 8 a.m. Monday morning. Even though none of our demands have been met yet, the Senate assured us that they will speak to the minister, and Congress has decided to believe what the Senate has said,” Dr. Ebong explained. He also appreciated the intervention of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, while warning that Congress will reconvene to reassess progress within the agreed timeframe and decide on the next action if no results are achieved.