Wike Threatens Council Chairmen: ‘I’ll Use 10% IGR To Pay Striking Teachers’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to divert 10% of FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) intended for the area councils to pay the striking teachers if the situation is not resolved.

The minister stated this on Thursday after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road project.

He expressed concern about the impact of the teachers’ strike on students, which has now lasted over a week.

“No serious government would allow their teachers to stay at home while children are suffering. I will not tolerate that,” Wike stated.

The strike, which resumed on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, followed a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Area Council Chairmen by the FCT Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The teachers demanded the implementation of a 40% Peculiar Allowance and the payment of 25 months of Minimum Wage Arrears, among other grievances.

However, Wike revealed that he had invited the area council chairmen and the leadership of the FCT NUT for a meeting to address the issue.

He said the government must ensure that the educational system functions effectively, adding that welfare of teachers must be a priority.

“If the teachers are not paid, I will use the 10% IGR, which nobody has paid to them, to pay the teachers. I will not fold my arms and allow this to continue.

“I’ve invited the Area Council Chairmen and the NUT to let us sit down. These are the things we talk about. We try to do what we can to see that the system is moving well. It is unfortunate, as I told the Area Council Chairmen, that the teachers are on strike.

“And that will mean that if the teachers are not paid, then I will use the 10% IGR, which nobody has paid to them, to pay the teachers. I will not fold my arms and allow that to happen,” he warned.

Meanwhile, on the Apo-Karshi Road project, Wike mentioned that the contractor, Messrs Khakatar Limited, had committed to completing the road by April 2025.

While expressing some skepticism, the minister noted the project’s importance toward easing traffic and boosting economic activities in the area.

“I still have my doubts, but they are insisting that by April, they will have completed this project. It’s a project very dear to us; we know the importance of this road. So many people are eager to see that this project is completed on time so that it will ease a lot of traffic and also boost the economic activities of this area. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt,” he added.

Wike Threatens Council Chairmen: ‘I’ll Use 10% IGR To Pay Striking Teachers’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper