Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has indicated his intention to allocate ten percent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) intended for Area Councils to pay primary school teachers currently on strike in the territory.
Wike made this announcement while speaking to journalists following an inspection of the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road project on Thursday.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the strike, which has persisted for over a week, does not adversely affect children. “No serious government would allow it,” he stated.
The teachers resumed their strike on September 18, 2024, after a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Area Council Chairmen by the FCT Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) expired. Their demands include the implementation of a 40% Peculiar Allowance and the payment of 25 months of Minimum Wage Arrears.
Wike also revealed that he had invited the Area Council Chairmen and the leadership of the FCT NUT for discussions to address the situation. “I’ve invited the Area Council Chairmen and then I’ve invited the NUT, and let’s sit down. These are the things we talk about. We try to do what we can do in order to see that the system is moving well. It is unfortunate, which I told the Area Council Chairmen, that the teachers are on strike.”
He continued, “And that will mean that if the teachers are not paid, then I will use the 10% IGR, which nobody paid to them, to pay the teachers. I will not fold my arms and allow that to happen. No serious government will allow their teachers to stay at home while the children are suffering, I will not tolerate that.”
Regarding the Apo-Karshi project, the Minister mentioned that the contractor, Messrs Kakatar Limited, has assured him that the project will be completed 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 boost the economic activities of this area. Let us give them the benefit of doubt,” he added.
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