By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has summoned chairmen of the six area councils and leadership of the FCT Wing of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT.
The minister said the meeting was to find lasting solutions to the lingering primary school teachers strike over unresolved welfare issues.
Wike announced the meeting in Abuja, Thursday after inspecting ongoing projects in preparation for the inauguration to celebrate the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.
Responding to the protest by teachers in the early hours of Wednesday, the minister, who described the development as very unfortunate, wondered why area council chairmen do not have conscience.
According to him, the chairmen refused to pay the teachers their entitlements, in spite of receiving approved funds specifically for that purpose.
According to him, “They (council chairmen) were unable to pay them. In fact, I got the report yesterday and have summoned all of them for a meeting.
“You see, that is the problem we have in this country; by the time I apply the big stick, people will be saying all kinds of things.
“I don’t know why people don’t have conscience, these are teachers who take care of our children and you are happy that you are not paying them their salaries,” he said.
The minister explained that primary schools are under the purview of area councils and not the FCT Administration.
Appealing to the NUT to give him some time, Wike assured that the issues would be sorted out soon.
