The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has summoned the six Area Council Chairmen to an emergency meeting following the ongoing strike by primary school teachers over unpaid entitlements and the new minimum wage.
The minister disclosed this on Thursday, April 24, during an inspection of major road projects in Abuja slated for commissioning in May as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-anniversary projects.
Expressing dismay over the industrial action, Wike revealed that despite the release of approved funds to the Area Councils, the chairmen failed to pay the teachers, leading to the strike.
“It’s unfortunate, and we have to tell ourselves the simple truth. The Area Council Chairmen, after I approved money to be sent to them for them to pay the teachers, were unable to do that,” Wike stated. “I don’t know why people don’t have a conscience—these are teachers who take care of our children, and you are happy not paying them their salaries.”
He emphasised that primary education falls under the jurisdiction of the Area Councils, urging the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to exercise patience while the issues are resolved.
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