By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Barr. Nyesome Wike has said that plans are underway towards withholding of 10 per cent of the satutory allocation to all the six area councils of the territory over the non-payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers by their respective Council Chairmen.
Wike disclosed that the decision was in response to the ongoing strike been embarked by the teachers as a result of non-payment of the new minimum wage by the Area Councils.
The Minister expressed his disappointment over the situation, stating that it was unfortunate that the primary school teachers had to resort to strike action to press for their entitlement.
He disclosed that he had engaged with the Council Chairmen at the commencement of the strike to understand the reasons for their inability to pay, adding that he directed that funds should be released to them to facilitate the payment of the new minimum wage, describing the continued strike as embarrassing.
Wike further emphasized his limitations in directly intervening in the affairs of the elected Area Council Chairmen but asserted his responsibility to protect the welfare of FCT residents, particularly the education of children. “I have limits; I cannot sack them because they are elected. Therefore, I have taken the step to withhold 10 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)”.
He said a committee will be established to ensure that the teachers are paid directly as funds are released.
Addressing concerns about contravening the autonomy of Local Government Areas, the Minister firmly stated, “Do you want me to fold arms and allow our children to be at home because you want LGA autonomy? I have withheld 10 percent of their allocation to ensure that they do what is right.
“You see now, you see the problem that we have now? We are talking about autonomy now. The money has been released to you as allowed, yet you are depriving people of their wages, and then you want me to fold my arms and allow our children to be at home because you want to have local government autonomy? No!” the Minister declared.
