The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to withhold 10 percent of the statutory allocation to Area Councils over their failure to implement the new minimum wage for primary school teachers.
This has resulted in an ongoing strike that has disrupted academic activities within the territory.
In a statement released on Monday, May 12, the FCT Administration revealed that Wike expressed his displeasure over the situation, noting that despite his intervention and directive for funds to be released to the councils, the teachers’ strike has continued.
Wike had earlier met with the Council Chairmen at the onset of the strike to understand their inability to pay and subsequently instructed that funds be made available to facilitate the payment of the new minimum wage.
Wike described the continued strike as embarrassing, stating that although he cannot dismiss the council chairmen as they are elected officials, he has decided to withhold 10 per cent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a consequence of their inaction. He emphasised that he has limitations in dealing with the situation but will take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.
To resolve the issue, Wike announced the formation of a committee to guarantee that funds released by the FCT Administration are paid directly to the affected teachers, bypassing the Area Councils if necessary. This approach aims to ensure that teachers receive their entitlements without further delay.
The strike, organised by primary school teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has been ongoing for several weeks, with the union maintaining that the strike will not end until the new minimum wage is fully implemented and paid.
In a related development, Wike also mentioned plans by the FCT Administration to mark the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, though specific details of the event were not disclosed.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
