By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed all primary school teachers in the territory to commence an indefinite strike from January 15, 2024 to press for implementation of 40 percent peculiar allowance and payment of 25 months minimum wage arrears, among other arrears.
The union issued the directive at the weekend in a communique jointly signed by the chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Shafas, secretary, Comrade Margaret Jethro and publicity secretary, Ibukun Adekeye, at the end of an emergency standing committee meeting held in Gwagwalada Area Council.
According to the communique, primary school teachers in the FCT had embarked on indefinite strike on September 11, 2023 to press for implementation of the said demands.
Following the minister of FCT intervention to resolve the issues, the union decided to suspend the strike for six weeks to honour him and to give him ample time to resolve the issues.
“The union is worried that the six weeks given expired on November 7, 2023. The committee put in place to look into the issues has also completed its work but nothing positive has taken place.
“We are concerned that series of meetings have taken place, but the teachers remain in a pathetic situation and continue to bear the brunt of the high cost of living attributable to the removal of fuel subsidy without succour from anywhere,” the communique stated.
The union expressed sadness over the suffering of the teachers and the unwillingness of the area council chairmen to pay the aforementioned entitlements, including the delay in the FCT minister’s intervention.
“The State Wing Standing Committee (SWSC) in – session has no other option than to direct all teachers in FCT to resume the suspended strike to further press home her demands.
“The strike will take effect from Monday, January 15, 2024. The SWSC-In- Session equally resolved that if the outstanding demands are not met before Friday, January 19, 2024 all secondary school teachers in the FCT will join in solidarity with effect from Monday, January 22, 2024. An injury to one is an injury to all. Parents are advised to keep their children and wards in primary schools safe at home,” the communique stated.
