FCT teachers strike: I intervened, I have told them we will pay in phases – Wike says
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to the ongoing teachers’ strike in Abuja.
Speaking during his monthly media chat on Thursday, Wike said the FCT Administration had made efforts to intervene, but noted that some of the teachers’ demands were unrealistic.
He also expressed concern over the current wage bill, stating it was high relative to the actual number of workers.
Wike said: “We intervened in the strike but some of the teachers have not been realistic, it will be difficult. We will pay in phases, that’s what I said.”
“Almost 50,000 workers with a salary of N13bn every month what do we get from the federal government?
“If federal government gets N800bn a year, it gives us one percent, one percent of N800bn is N8bn. With N8bn, can I pay the salaries with this new minimum wage? Can it pay allowances?
“I heard they locked the gate but they have taken their salaries, have you asked that you lock the gate but your salary will be paid?”
