Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have renewed calls for the resolution of unresolved compensation issues and the expedited action to ensure a functional traffic system, aiming to improve transportation in the city amid a growing labour crisis in the capital.

Abdulsalam Haruna, the coordinator of FCT LEA Teachers’ Forum, in a letter addressed to Nyesom Wike, the minister of FCT, sighted by BusinessDay, reminded the minister that in the 2024/2025 academic session when public primary schools in Abuja spent chaotic three months as teachers went on strike in demand for their rights from their employers, the area council chairmen of the six councils.

However, according to Haruna, the teachers received the N70,000 national minimum wage through the intervention of the FCT minister. They had the nine months’ arrears partially paid, as three area councils are still owing part of the minimum wage arrears.

“It is important to note that the N70,000 minimum wage implementation and arrears happen to be the newest item on the list of the demands of primary school teachers in FCT, amongst many entitlements the teachers are struggling for.

“These include a 40 percent peculiar allowance implementation and arrears, 25 and 35 percent salary increase implementation and arrears, N35,000 wage award implementation and arrears, and many years of promotion arrears across the six area councils from 2014 to date,” he said.

Besides, he said there has been no implementation of promotion since 2023, no annual increments since 2023, no upgrade of underemployed teachers in Kuje, Bwari and Gwagwalada since 2018, no health insurance for teachers, and no welfare packages in Abuja for teachers in LEA as being done for others under UBEB and SEB.

Moreover, Haruna called the attention of Wike to some other pressing issues that require urgent consideration, such as the Kugbo bus terminal, commissioned months ago, which remains unused.

“We plead with you to expedite action to make it functional, easing traffic congestion and improving transportation in the city.

“Regrettably, workers’ welfare in the FCT remains a concern. Incessant strike actions by workers’ unions disrupt life in the nation’s capital. I urge you to address this issue promptly,” he said.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that withdrawing court cases against workers and engaging in dialogue can resolve disputes amicably.

“The ongoing JOHESU strike, now 83 days, demands urgent attention. Pending demands of primary school teachers and area council workers also need immediate redress to prevent further industrial actions.

“Furthermore, other areas in the FCT cry out for attention. Refuse disposal, for instance, has become an eyesore, with heaps of garbage along Karu, on the Nyanya-Karshi road. I implore you to address this issue and others like it,” he stated.

He appreciated the minister for the commendable efforts he has made in infrastructure development in the Federal Capital Territory, and assured him of the teachers’ support in making FCT a better city. (BusinessDay)

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