Wike justifies IGR withholding to settle teachers’ pay crisis in FCT

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the determination to withhold 10 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) owed to country councils, stating that the funds are being utilized to wide wage arrears owed to superior schoolhouse teachers.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists successful Abuja connected Wednesday, Wike dismissed criticisms of the policy, insisting that the determination is simply a impermanent involution aimed astatine ending persistent strikes successful the acquisition sector.

“Nobody is complaining due to the fact that those affected recognize what is going on. We are collecting 10 per cent for a defined play to lick a occupation that has kept our children astatine home,” helium said.

According to the minister, the withheld funds are being straight channelled into settling outstanding entitlements, peculiarly astatine the superior schoolhouse level, wherever unpaid salaries and mediocre payment conditions person disrupted world activities.

“Our children person been astatine location due to the fact that teachers are not paid, that is unacceptable. We person to measurement successful and guarantee that these obligations are met,” helium added.

Wike disclosed that the statement includes structured monthly disbursements to gradually offset accumulated arrears, stressing that the medication is determined to reconstruct stableness to the schoolhouse system.

“We are paying a fixed amoun...