The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

“We reconsidered our stand and suspended the strike following the intervention of the minister of the FCT,” the union chairman, Stephen Knabayi, said in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Knabayi said the strike was suspended from October 2 to November 13 to implement commitments by the chairmen of the six area councils and the FCT minister.

The NUT in FCT on September 11 embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid 40 per cent peculiar and other outstanding allowances.

Mr Knabayi explained that the strike was suspended after an agreement was reached between the striking teachers and the area councils chairmen following the minister’s intervention.

He added that a six-man committee was also set up and inaugurated to find a lasting solution.

“We proceeded on strike over seven issues. Five of them, we have an agreement for their implementation with effect from October.

“The other two issues – peculiar allowances and payment of minimum wage arrears, the minister has agreed to intervene with an agreement for their implementation in four weeks.

“So, we suspended the strike for six weeks to enable the minister to take action and see to the implementation of the commitments,” he said.

The chairman commended Mr Wike for the intervention, which he described as “timely and impactful.”

“Also, the council chairman of Abaji, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, has already commenced payment of teachers. This is an indication of their readiness to meet the agreement,” Mr Knabayi said.

He identified communication gap as one of the major issues affecting the relationship between the union and the councils’ chairmen.

Mr Knabayi stressed that they embarked on the strike because no one told them anything about their entitlement and when they would be paid.

(NAN)