By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, in Abuja directed that teachers’ salaries and allowances be paid directly by the Treasury.
Wike gave this directive following a meeting with officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, as part of efforts to address the lingering industrial dispute involving primary school teachers and the ongoing teachers’ strike in the territory.
The minister said the decision became necessary after the FCT Administration intercepted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocations meant for the Area Councils, noting that the move would ensure prompt payment of teachers’ entitlements and address what he described as the “sole responsibility” of the councils.
The ongoing strike, which has disrupted academic activities in public primary schools across the FCT, has prompted the administration to adopt more decisive measures.
During the briefing, Wike expressed surprise at the union’s decision to proceed with the strike despite earlier engagements and understandings reached with relevant stakeholders.
The chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Comrade Abdulahi Mohammed Shafa, told reporters that the meeting addressed critical “shortcomings” regarding the rights and entitlements of primary school teachers, as well as personnel issues in junior and senior secondary schools.
However, Shafa maintained that the strike action was unavoidable, citing persistent lapses and the lack of adequate involvement by Area Council Chairmen, who are the direct employers of primary school teachers.
The Union’s demands centered on ensuring vacancies are filled to boost teacher productivity and morale, securing the immediate release of allowances and emoluments owed to members, and addressing the failure of Area Council Chairmen to meet their primary education obligations, Shafa said.
The union commended the minister for ongoing school renovation projects across the territory, but stressed that improved infrastructure must be matched with better welfare for teachers.
The union leadership said it would convene an internal meeting to review the outcome of discussions with the minister and determine the next line of action.
For now, the NUT insists that the welfare of teachers remains central to achieving quality education in the territory.
“However, the strike has not been called off yet. We are returning to our headquarters to deliberate on the bMinister’s offers before making our final decision” , Shafa stated.
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