The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to use 10 percent Internally Generated Revenue due to the six area councils of the FCT to settle striking teachers’ entitlements.
Wike issued the threat on Thursday while fielding questions from newsmen on the FCT Administration’s intervention on the impasse between the primary school teachers and the six area councils.
DAILY POST recalls that the FCT Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on September 18 resumed industrial action over unresolved welfare issues between it and the six area councils of the territory.
The strike is a continuation of earlier ones suspended by the union in October 2023 and in January 2024.
Reacting to the development, the minister said he had invited the chairmen of the area councils and the NUT leaders to find a way out.
“We have tried to do what we could to see the system was moving well.
“It is, however, unfortunate that the teachers are still on strike. It is very unfortunate.
“If the teachers are not paid, I will use the 10 per cent of IGR which we normally pay to the area councils t, o pay the teachers.
“I will not fold my hands and allow that to happen. No serious government will see their teachers stay at home and their children are suffering.
“I will not tolerate that; I won’t,” he said.