By Patrick Idowu
Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have vowed to continue their strike action, now in its fourth month, until their outstanding salaries and entitlements are fully paid.
Despite a meeting held on Thursday between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), across the six area councils, the talks ended in a deadlock.
The teachers reiterated that they would not return to the classroom until they start receiving payment alerts.
The meeting, which took place at the Minister’s official residence, failed to yield a resolution.
Teachers maintained their position, insisting that only full payment of their arrears and entitlements would end the strike.
Addressing journalists after a State Wing Executive Council (SWEC), meeting, Chairman of the FCT NUT, Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Shafas, said the union had unanimously resolved that teachers would resume immediately once their backlogs were cleared.
“Our members are ready to return to work the moment they receive alerts. Even if it happens this evening, the union will call off the strike,” Shafas stated.
The teachers are demanding payment of backlogged salaries, full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and other outstanding entitlements.
Shafas, however, commended Minister Wike for withholding 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), of the six area councils over the past six months in response to the strike.
He also acknowledged the minister’s effort in setting up a committee to address the teachers’ remaining demands.
The strike began after council chairmen allegedly reneged on three signed agreements with the union, failing to implement agreed-upon resolutions.
