WIKE BLASTS AREA COUNCIL CHAIRMEN FOR UNPAID TEACHER SALARIES
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has condemned the failure of area council chairmen in the Federal Capital Territory to pay the national minimum wage to primary school teachers, healthcare workers, and council staff. Speaking during an inspection of road projects in Abuja, Wike described the situation as “unfortunate” and accused the council bosses of disregarding his prior financial approvals.
Teachers and local government workers recently staged a mass protest over months of unpaid salaries and entitlements. Wike, visibly displeased, said he had summoned the chairmen to an emergency meeting. “These are teachers who take care of our children, and some people are happy not to pay them. It’s sad,” he said.
He appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for patience, promising that the matter would be resolved. Wike reminded the public that primary education falls under the jurisdiction of the local councils and not the FCT administration.
On infrastructure, Wike inspected several projects, including Wole Soyinka Way, the OSEX carriageway, and the Life Camp–Ring Road III arterial road, all slated for commissioning during President Tinubu’s second anniversary in May. He expressed satisfaction with the progress and disclosed that the National Assembly had reallocated N10 billion for the completion of the five priority roads. He praised the work as reflecting the Renewed Hope Agenda, declaring, “People are happy with what they are seeing.”
