The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Federal Capital Territory chapter on Wednesday demanded that primary school teachers’ salaries be transferred to state governments, if local government autonomy was to be granted.

The FCT Chairman of NUT, Mr Stephen Khabayi made this call when he led the union on a protest to the FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Bello, in Abuja.

He said that the protest was to reiterate the union's earlier stand that autonomous body like the Universal Basic Education Commission be allowed to oversee teacher’s salary in case of LG autonomy.

According to him, this is imperative following the ruling of the Supreme Court in 2002 in the case of Attorney General for the Federation versus Attorney General of the 36 states.

“The court held that the responsibility of providing and managing primary school education in the country obviously lies with the state government,”Khabayisaid.

He said that it was against this background that the National Executive Council of the NUT redirected its entire states wing, including the FCT, to carry out a solidarity rally rejecting the autonomy.

He said that was what made the NUT-FCT to embark on a peaceful rally against granting full autonomy to local government.

Mr Sunday Affang, Director Operation, Planning and Strategy Office of Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, received the protest letter from the teachers.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Affang promised to relay their message, while assuring them of immediate response from the minister. (NAN)