The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has suspended its ongoing strike for six weeks following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The union chairman, Stephen Knabayi, said in an interview on Monday in Abuja that the strike was suspended from October 2 to November 13 to implement commitments by the chairpersons 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.
Knabayi explained that the strike was suspended after an agreement was reached between the striking teachers and the area council chairpersons following the minister’s intervention.
He added that a six-man committee was also set up and inaugurated to find a lasting solution.
His words:
“We reconsidered our stand and suspended the strike following the intervention of the minister of the FCT.
“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.”
The chairman commended Wike for the intervention, which he described as “timely and impactful.”
