Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have suspended their strike action.
LEADERSHIP had reported that the union had on September 18, 2024, directed primary teachers Local Education Authority (LEA) across the six area councils to embark on strike over non-payment of its members’ remaining 60 per cent of the 25 months minimum wage arrears, non-implementation/payment of arrears of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, among other benefits.
Chairman of FCT NUT, Comrade Abdullahi Shafas, while addressing newsmen at the end of an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) in Gwagwalada on Monday, said the decision followed the renewed commitment of the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, towards paying the remaining balance of the 60 per cent of the 25 months minimum wage arrears of its members.
Shafas said the minister had during the meeting with the leadership of the union directed the FCT Treasury Department to immediately use the FCT area council chairmen’s ten per cent IGR accruals to pay the teachers.
According to him, the SWEC in session also considered the consistent and positive intervention of the minister’s commitment to look into other demands of the teachers to suspend the strike.
The union, however, appealed to the minister to take necessary steps in ensuring the implementation of its members’ 40 per cent peculiar allowance, N35, 000 wage award and 25 per cent and 35 per cent upward salary review with immediate effect after the minimum wage arrears are settled.
He expressed dismay over the pathetic situation of the primary school teachers’ welfare in FCT as a result of the non-commitment of the management of the area councils to give teachers their entitlements despite the harsh economic realities in the country.
“To this end, the SWEC in session hereby appealed to all primary school teachers in FCT to with immediate effect from Tuesday, October 8, 2024 return to their classrooms and continue with their legitimate duties as the union will continue to intensify efforts in ensuring the settlement of all the outstanding entitlements and the improvement of their welfare,” he said.
