Residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried disruptions to basic services in public schools and primary healthcare centres following an ongoing strike by local government workers.

The residents, who spoke in seperate interviews with journalists on Tuesday, described the situation as distressing, saying the shutdown had worsened hardship for families dependent on public facilities.

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), FCT Chapter, had directed its members to commence an indefinite strike from Tuesday, January 27.

The union explained that the strike was in solidarity with workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid entitlements and promotion arrears affecting area council staff.

According to NULGE, the decision followed directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and NULGE national body.

A resident, Aisha Babale, said that she took her baby to one of the community primary healthcare centres to be treated for an ailment, only to find out that they had commenced a strike.

”I couldn’t do anything, I just broke down crying because I didn’t know what else to do or where to run to and we have no money for the big hospital.

”I just wanted them to test my baby for malaria and typhoid and get drugs if need be but they said the staff are not available.

”This is getting exhausting and tiring every time. I pray that they pity the masses and resolve their issues with the government soon enough to help us,” she said.

Another resident, Luka Malo, expressed frustration, describing area councils as the closest tier of government to the grassroots, which he said should always function effectively.

”When the councils stop working, the people feel it immediately because there’s always a delay in accessing health and administrative services.

”This should not be so. It is not as if we even had prompt services in the first place, not to mention it being stopped totally. It is unfair to the communities,” he said.

A public servant, Theophilus Shemang, warned that prolonged disruption could weaken grassroots administration and erode public trust in government institutions.

Ms Shemang recalled that a previous strike disrupted an entire school term, forcing pupils in public schools to resume when private school pupils were on holiday.

He urged the FCT Administration and council authorities to urgently engage union leaders to prevent further hardship for residents, especially children and vulnerable groups.

The Bwari NULGE leader, Emmanuel Ishaku, said there was no official timeline for suspending the strike.

Mr Ishaku explained that the union was uncertain when services would resume, stressing that workers were committed to pressing their welfare demands.

A correspondent who visited the council secretariat observed that the institution was operating at skeletal levels, with most administrative services suspended.

The correspondent also observed that many public school gates remained shut, forcing pupils to stay at home and widening learning gaps in the community.

(NAN)