By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has introduced a monthly fitness walk to promote staff health, as workers renewed calls for improved welfare, including accommodation and transportation.
The maiden exercise, led by the Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, brought together management officials, labour leaders and staff from various secretariats, departments and agencies across the territory.
Addressing journalists after the event on Saturday, Nathan said the initiative was designed to improve staff well-being, boost energy and sustain productivity, particularly as the administration enters the final quarter of the year.
She said workers must remain proactive and energetic to support the delivery of key administrative priorities, including infrastructure, health, education, transportation and sanitation.
Nathan disclosed that the Education Secretariat would host the November edition of the monthly exercise, adding that the walking distance would be increased from the initial three kilometres to five kilometres and beyond in subsequent sessions.
She also said future editions would feature medical check-ups, aerobics and cultural displays.
She said the initiative would help them meet up with the rigorous projects inauguration exercise slated for December,2026.
“We are currently in the last quarter of the year, and we must remain proactive, stay energetic, and sustain our momentum,” she said,
In addition, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Richard Dauda, commended the initiative, saying it would help address preventable health challenges associated with sedentary office work.
He added that the FCDA and other secretariats had indicated interest in hosting subsequent editions.
Dauda explained that physical, mental and emotional well-being were essential for effective service delivery.
“When you have a workforce that is healthy, you achieve much more,” he said,
In an interview, President of the Joint Unions Action Congress of FCTA/FCDA, Mrs. Rifkatu Iortyer, while commending the administration for reviving the wellness programme, called on the workers to participate more actively in future exercises.
Iortyer also conveyed workers’ appeals for sustained administrative support to address pressing welfare concerns, particularly accommodation and transportation.
She anchored the appeal on the need for the administration to complement its health and fitness initiative with measures that address workers’ welfare and improve their working conditions.
