By Igho Oyoyo
The three-month strike by primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may soon be called off following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who brokered a deal to release six months of area councils鈥 internally generated revenue (IGR) to settle part of the wage arrears.
The breakthrough came after a closed-door meeting on Tuesday between the FCT Administration, area council chairmen, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), National Assembly representatives, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs).
The Minister鈥檚 Chief of Staff, Mr. Chidi Amadi, announced that 10 per cent of the area councils鈥 IGR for the past six months would be withheld to settle 70 per cent of the minimum wage arrears owed to the teachers.
鈥淎lthough it will not cover 100 per cent of the debt for now, it will cover about 70percent. This is a laudable move towards addressing the fracas once and for all,鈥 Amadi stated.
He added that Wike had directed the formation of a Special Committee comprising three NUT members, two FCTA representatives, one area council chairman, and a NANs representative to address other outstanding issues within two weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi acknowledged the resolution, though he admitted it was unfavourable to the councils.
鈥淪ix months of our IGR had been held to settle this issue. Ours at this point is to appeal to NUT to consider our children and call off the strike,鈥 Abdullahi pleaded.
He noted that Wike had no legal right to withhold the councils鈥 IGR but said the chairmen agreed to the measure to resolve the crisis.
NANs National President Olushola Oladoja commended Wike鈥檚 bold intervention, noting: 鈥淎ny of the council chairmen could take him to court over such a decision.
However, because they also want the issue resolved, they have no option but to concede.鈥
NUT Chairman Mohammed Shafa acknowledged the deliberations but said the union鈥檚 State Executive Council would decide whether to call off the strike.