FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Pledges Action to Resolve Primary School Teachers’ Strike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to take decisive action to resolve the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the FCT. The teachers, who resumed their strike on September 18, 2024, are demanding the implementation of a 40% Peculiar Allowance and the payment of 25 months’ Minimum Wage Arrears.

During an inspection of the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road project on Thursday, Wike threatened to use 10% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocated to Area Councils to pay the striking teachers. He emphasized that he would not allow the situation to persist, stating, “No serious government will allow their teachers to stay at home while the children are suffering. I will not tolerate that.”

Wike has invited Area Council Chairmen and the leadership of the FCT Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for discussions to address the issue. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the education system functions smoothly and that teachers are adequately compensated.

Regarding the Apo-Karshi Road project, Wike reiterated the importance of completing the Nyanya-Karu-Orozo linking road project, highlighting the financial and legal implications of canceling it. He assured that the 18-kilometer road, which will feature streetlights for enhanced safety and accessibility, would be completed within eight months as promised by the contractor.

The minister’s attention was drawn to the road’s poor condition during a previous visit, prompting him to write to the President, who approved emergency rehabilitation of the Nyanya-Karu-Orozo road. This initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity between key government agencies along the route.