Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the administration to make accommodation affordable to workers.

Mr Aliyu Abdulhakeem, the Chairman, made the call in his Workers’ Day speech on Sunday in Abuja.

Aliu said that the congress was saddened by the large number of completed but unoccupied structures in the FCT.

“We are indeed saddened and very worried about the large numbers of unoccupied buildings and housing estates that litter the FCT.

“These property were constructed on lands provided by the FCT administration for large-scale housing projects to take care of the housing needs of workers in the territory.

“This ugly development has not reduced the housing deficit, but exacerbated it even more.

“We are calling on the FCTA to repossess these property so that they can be sold or rented out to workers.’’

He further urged the FCTA to address the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on major roads in the FCT.

“We are calling for stricter legislation to address the irresponsible dumping of refuse on major roads by many residents.

“This is creating serious health and environmental hazards to other residents and should be arrested urgently.’’

The labour leader commended the FCTA for the provision of special funding for education, as well as the creation of five special schools in Abaji, Garki, Kuje, Maitama and Jakasa.

He appealed to the minister to improve funding of the special schools.

He also called for immediate implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in the FCT, to create fiscal discipline and ensure the provision of access roads.

“The FCTA should enforce the adoption of the TSA in all area councils to address leakages that have been reported over the years.

“Existing road projects like the Orozo-Karshi-Abaji link road, Karshi-Garki access Road; Gwagwa-Deidei link road and the Mararaban-Gurku-Asom Pada-Mpape link road should be given urgent attention.

“Urgent completion of these road projects will go a long way in addressing traffic congestion in the city of Abuja,’’ he advised.