The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abia has announced the suspension of its six-week-old strike embarked upon to demand the payment of arrears of teachers’ salaries.

The NUT disclosed the suspension in a statement jointly issued in Umuahia on Tuesday by Kizito Kalu and Nnenna Okonkwo, the state chairman, and secretary.

The union stated that the suspension was “based on the intervention and extensive deliberation on Abia teachers’ plight” by its national leadership.

It added that during the union’s deliberations with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Monday, it was resolved that “the government will make teachers’ salaries top priority.”

It was further stated that “the state government has agreed to liquidate all the outstanding arrears of salaries owed to both senior and junior secondary school teachers in the state before the end of 2021.”

Other agreements reached included that the government would also pay an additional N10,000 to the teachers.

It also stated that the government had directed the check-off dues, and Teachers’ Retirement Contributions should be paid to the teachers.

The statement added that “the issues on policy matters will also be addressed when the whole documentations on promotion implementation, leave grants and others are made available.”

It noted, “Based on the understanding reached with the NUT leadership, we have been directed to inform you that the strike is hereby suspended.

“Teachers are by this notice directed to go back to classes on Wednesday, March 3.

It hoped “that those offices involved in the implementation of all the resolutions will do the needful.” 

(NAN)