The 75 staff members of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) who were affected by the 2004 compulsory retirement exercise can now heave a sigh of relief as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the payment of over 700 million to the affected staff.
FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, disclosed yesterday in Abuja while receiving the retirees on behalf of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the entitlements of the 75 beneficiaries would be paid directly into their accounts within two weeks.
The resolution of the matter, which had been a subject of litigation, had been stalled for 14 years running, causing the affected officers all forms of hardship.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, the Permanent Secretary further explained that the minister had graciously decided to give succour to the affected staff by applying human face to the issue.
He said: “The minister has graciously agreed to bring your challenges to an end, by giving human face to your issue.”
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Hassana Ibrahim thanked the minister, the permanent secretary and the entire management staff of the FCT Administration for taking the bold step to ameliorate their plight by approving the payment without further delay.