The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to use 10% of the internally generated revenue (IGR) allocated to the area councils to pay striking primary school teachers in the FCT. Wike made this statement on Thursday after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road project.
The minister expressed his disapproval of the strike, which has lasted over a week, stating that no responsible government would allow children's education to be disrupted. The teachers had resumed their strike on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, after issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the Area Council Chairmen, demanding the implementation of a 40% peculiar allowance and the payment of 25 months' worth of minimum wage arrears.
Wike also mentioned that he had invited the Area Council Chairmen and the leadership of the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for discussions to resolve the issue.
"I’ve invited the Area Council Chairmen and the NUT to a meeting. We will work together to ensure the system functions smoothly. It's unfortunate that the teachers are on strike," Wike said.
"If the teachers remain unpaid, I will use the 10% IGR, which hasn’t been paid to the councils, to pay them. I will not sit by and allow this situation to continue. No serious government will let its teachers stay home while children suffer, and I won’t tolerate that," he added.
Regarding the Apo-Karshi Road project, the minister said the contractor, Messrs Khakatar Limited, assured him the project would be completed by April 2025. Although Wike expressed some doubts, he stated that he was willing to give the contractor the benefit of the doubt due to the importance of the project.
"This project is critical to us. We understand its significance in easing traffic and boosting economic activities in the area. Let’s give them a chance to deliver on their promise," Wike concluded.
