FCT minister Nyesom Wike has blamed chairpersons of the six area councils for the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in the territory.

Mr Wike, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday shortly before a close door emergency meeting with security agencies and the chairpersons, said the local council officials have not fulfilled their responsibilities.

On Sunday, the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed primary school teachers to proceed on an indefinite strike starting January 15.

The strike is a continuation of an earlier one suspended by the union in 2023 over non-payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance and 25 months’ minimum wage arrears, among other issues.

The NUT suspended the strike on October 2, 2023, to allow for the resolution of the issues within six weeks, but nothing was done.

The minister, therefore, blamed the lingering strike on the chairpersons and urged them to be more alive to their duties.

“Recently, the NUT has embarked on strike. It is not because of our fault. It is the council chairmen’s fault because primary schools are under the purview of the area councils.

“Again, it will look as if the ministers are doing nothing, but that is not our responsibility,” Mr Wike said.

He, however, said they could not afford to fold their hands over the strike, adding that he had invited the striking teachers for a meeting to resolve the problems.

“Council chairmen should know that they must wake up to their responsibilities,” the minister added. 

(NAN)