By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister Barr. Nysome Wike, has announced that the FCT Administration, FCTA, would withhold 10 percent of the statutory allocation to the FCT Area Councils over the non-payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers in the FCT.
Wike who disclosed this during a live media chat in Abuja on Monday stated that this is to address the ongoing strike action by the primary school teachers over the non-payment of the new minimum wage by the Area Councils.
Wike lamented that it is
unfortunate and embarrassing that primary school teachers had to go on strike action to demand for their entitlement.
The Minister disclosed that he has engaged with the Council Chairmen at the beginning of the strike to understand the reasons for their inability to pay, and thereafter had directed that funds should be released to them to facilitate the payment of the new minimum wage.
The Minister noted that he has limitations in directly intervening in the affairs of the elected Area Council Chairmen, but he owes FCT residents the protection of their lives and their welfare, particularly the education of the children.
“I have limits, I cannot sack them because they are elected. Therefore, I have taken the step to withhold 10 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)”.
The minister disclosed that a committee will be established to ensure that the teachers are paid directly as funds are released.
Wike explained that the action is not about contravening the autonomy of Local Government Areas.
“Do you want me to fold arms and allow our children to be at home because you want LGA autonomy? I have withheld 10 percent of their allocation to ensure that they do what is right.”
“You see now, you see the problem that we have now. We are talking about autonomy now. The money has been released to you as allowed, yet you are depriving people of their wages, and then you want me to fold my arms and allow our children to be at home because you want to have local government autonomy? No!” the Minister declared.
However, Wike emphasized plans to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary with the commissioning of several completed infrastructure projects, noting that these projects will be ready in two weeks time.
The minister listed projects slated for commissioning, include roads in Ketti, Takushara, A2 to Pai, Ushafa, and War College areas, spanning across four Area Councils.
Others include the renovated International Conference Centre, ICC.
The Minister who described the former state of the ICC as an “eyesore”, added that the cost of its maintenance contract with Julius Berger, with costs to be covered by revenue generated by the fully commercialized facility.
Speaking on the provision of water to satellite towns, the Minister said that there is a partnership with Chinese overseas construction giant, CGC, to extend water supply to satellite towns like Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu, in line with the President’s directive.
He assured that funding for these projects has been allocated in the national and statutory budgets, to ensure provision of water to these areas within the next two years.
The Minister stated that there is provision for streetlights to enhanced security measures, including CCTV cameras with security features.
These have been put in place to combat vandalism of streetlights and ensure the arrest of perpetrators, he added.
In addition, the administration is
He added that the administration procuring additional streetlights for road projects that were initially awarded without them.
Speaking on the welfare of FCT Workers, the Minister affirmed that workers in the FCT were being paid promptly and adequately motivated.
However, he stated his refusal to approve funding for non-essential overseas training, even if budgeted, and indicated his intention to request the National Assembly to reallocate such funds to more critical needs.
Furthermore, the Minister addressed sundry matters such as land administration, open grazing, and the recent changes at the IBB Golf and Country Club.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He warned against corrupt practices and emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law.
End
