Strike : Wike To Withhold 10% LGA Allocation To Pay LEA Teachers

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike says the FCT Administration may have no choice but to withhold 10 per cent of the statutory allocation to Area Councils over the Chairmen’s failure to pay primary school teachers the new minimum wage.

Wike, speaking at a media briefing, declared that he would not fold his arms and watch the lingering strike continue while the education of children is jeopardized.

The Minister described the ongoing strike, which has caused many pupils to be out of school, as a result of negligence and irresponsibility on the part of the Area Council Chairmen.

“Do you want me to fold my arms and allow our children to stay at home because you want local government autonomy? No! Funds have been released, yet salaries are not being paid. I will not allow our children to suffer because of leadership failure,” Wike said.

According to the Minister, despite constitutional constraints that prevent him from sacking elected Council Chairmen, he has a duty to act in the best interest of FCT residents.

He hinted at plans to set up a committee that will ensure teachers are paid directly.

“This is about accountability,” Wike stated. “You cannot claim autonomy while failing to meet your basic obligations. That’s not governance, it’s abdication.”

Beyond education, the Minister also outlined sweeping infrastructural projects in honor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year in office.

According to him, several road networks across Ketti, Ushafa, Pai, Takushara, and the War College area were ready for commissioning.

On water projects, Wike announced a partnership with Chinese construction firm CGC to bring potable water to satellite towns such as Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu, with funding already captured in the statutory budgets, he gave a two-year timeline for full implementation.

To tackle vandalism and insecurity, he disclosed that new streetlight installations will come with integrated CCTV systems.

He also vowed to correct past contract oversights where roads were built without streetlight provisions.

On civil service matters, Wike confirmed that FCT workers are being paid promptly and are well-motivated.

However, he said has blocked funding for non-essential foreign trainings, opting instead to channel those resources to urgent needs, pending National Assembly reallocation.

The Minister also took a swipe at his former party, the PDP, citing a lack of internal justice and leadership integrity as reasons for recent defections and called for honest introspection within the party.

Wike also used the medium to shower accolades on First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humility and developmental focus, praising her for reaching out directly to commend projects and suggest improvements, including the beautification of Abuja’s City Gate.

“This is a First Lady of a different kind. She’s a quiet force of progress and deeply committed to national development,” Wike said.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji