Wike Threatens To Settle Disgruntled Teachers With Area Council Funds
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to divert 10% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) meant for Area Councils to pay the primary school teachers who embarked on a strike action.
Wike stated this on Thursday, September 26, 2924 during an inspection of the Apo-Karshi Road project.
TheFact Daily gathered that Primary school teachers in FCT public schools who were members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on an indefinite strike last week over non-payment of their outstanding entitlements and other unresolved issues.
The striking teachers are demanding the remaining 60 per cent of 25 months minimum wage arrears owing them as well as other benefits.
Emphasising his determination to prevent children’s education from being disrupted, the Minister said, “no serious government will allow their teachers to stay at home while the children are suffering, I will not tolerate that”.
Wike disclosed that he had already invited both the Area Council Chairmen and the leadership of the NUT to discuss the issue and would ensure the system runs smoothly:
“I’ve invited the Area Council Chairmen and the NUT. We will sit down and try to resolve this. It’s unfortunate, but we will do what we can to ensure the system runs smoothly.
“If the teachers are not paid, then I will use the 10% IGR meant for the councils to pay them. We cannot let our children suffer”, he said.
On the status of the Apo-Karshi road project, the Minister disclosed that the contractor, Messrs Khakatar Limited, had assured completion by April 2025:
“I still have my doubt, but they are still insisting that by April, they would have completed this project. It’s a project very dear to us, we know the importance of this road. So many people are eager to see that this project is completed on time, so that it will ease off a lot of traffic and also will boost the economic activities of this area. Let us give them the benefit of doubt,” he said.
