Gbagyi Youths Seek Transparency Over Use Of Area Council Funds For Teachers’ Salaries

The FCT Gbagyi Youths Forum and Stakeholders have called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to ensure transparency and accountability in the ongoing use of 10 per cent Area Council Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the payment of primary school teachers’ salary arrears in the FCT.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the group acknowledged the FCTA’s intervention in resolving the lingering strike by primary school teachers over unpaid salaries, describing the move as necessary to restore stability to the education sector.

The association, however, warned that the prolonged withholding of statutory funds meant for the six area councils could negatively affect grassroots development and the delivery of essential services across communities in the territory.

According to the group, while teachers’ welfare remains critical, education and infrastructure development should not be treated as competing priorities.

“The 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue currently being withheld is statutory funding allocated to the area councils for local development, healthcare, sanitation, roads and other essential services that directly impact our communities,” the letter stated.

The group that alleged that there has been a continued deduction of council funds without a clearly defined legal framework, public oversight mechanism, and exit timeline, also worried that it could raise questions about governance, accountability, and the rights of taxpayers in the FCT, adding that the arrangement could weaken the capacity of area councils to provide basic services to residents, particularly indigenous Gbagyi communities.

To address the concerns, the forum urged the FCTA to establish a joint FCTA-Area Council task force to supervise the salary payment process and ensure stakeholder participation.

The group also recommended publishing monthly reports detailing deductions, disbursements, and outstanding arrears, and called for a clearly defined timeline for the deductions to end once the salary backlog is fully cleared.

In addition, the stakeholders advised the administration to explore alternative funding sources within the FCTA budget or seek federal intervention to reduce dependence on area council revenue.

The forum maintained that a balanced and transparent approach would protect teachers’ welfare without undermining local governance and community development in the nation’s capital.