The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning that he will divert the 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) meant for the FCT area councils if necessary, to pay the primary school teachers who are currently on strike. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Wike expressed deep frustration over the industrial action, labeling it as “unfortunate” and “unacceptable.”
The strike was initiated by teachers under the Local Education Authority (LEA), following the failure of the six FCT area council chairmen to honor an agreement on the payment of the remaining 60 percent of the 25 months’ minimum wage arrears. Despite a prior agreement and the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum, no payments had been made, pushing the teachers to stage protests, including barricading council secretariats on Wednesday.
During his media briefing, Wike stated, “I will not fold my arms while children are kept out of school due to avoidable strikes.” He hinted that if the teachers remain unpaid, he would redirect the councils’ 10 percent IGR, typically used for other purposes, to settle the teachers’ wage arrears. “No serious government will allow teachers to remain unpaid while children suffer,” Wike added.
