The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the six Area Council chairmen to enforce the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against teachers and other civil servants participating in the ongoing strike by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The FCT Minister described the industrial action as unwarranted, illegal and politically motivated, insisting that the administration had addressed the union’s demands and was implementing the agreed resolutions.
The FCT minister stated the administration’s position in Abuja after a meeting with the chairmen of the six Area Councils.
He urged the council chairmen to direct the striking teachers and other affected workers to return to work, warning that those who continued to participate in the industrial action would face the consequences of the ‘no work, no pay’ policy.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it. We will not accept it because there is no basis for anybody to call for a strike.
“We don’t have any issue with the local government areas, local education authorities or primary schools,” the FCT Minister said.
The FCT Minister said some stakeholders in the education sector, including senior primary school teachers and the National Union of Teachers (NUT), had distanced themselves from the strike.
According to him, the representatives of senior primary school teachers had indicated that they would not participate in the industrial action because they considered it unnecessary.
“All the things they are talking about have been agreed upon and are being implemented, so why do we go on strike?” he asked.
The FCT Minister said issues relating to teachers’ promotions were being addressed, while the appointment of directors fell within the established procedures of the relevant authorities.
He added that he had directed the Area Council chairmen to engage their teachers and other civil servants to resolve any outstanding concerns.
“I’ve directed the Area Councils to go back and call their teachers and civil servants. If anybody does this, we’ll implement ‘no work, no pay’.
“Enough is enough; we can’t continue with this,” he said.
FCT minister alleges political motive behind strike.
The FCT Minister also accused the FCT NLC leadership of pursuing partisan interests, alleging that the union’s chairman, who had previously contested an Area Council election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was using the strike to create political tension in the territory ahead of future elections.
He argued that keeping teachers away from classrooms could disrupt learning and potentially become an issue in the political contest.
“If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to do so, but excuse yourself from the leadership of the union so you don’t politicise it,” he said.
The allegations were made by the FCT minister, and no response from the FCT NLC leadership was included in the account of the meeting.
FCT moves against illegal commercial activities.
In a related development, the FCT Minister announced plans to strengthen security enforcement against unauthorised commercial activities and illegal structures along the corridor between Gwagwalada and Asokoro.
He said the FCT Administration had received reports of people establishing beer parlours and motor parks without the necessary approvals.
“We have been told of some issues of security threats extending from certain areas of Gwagwalada to Asokoro, where some people are trying to open beer parlour businesses, motor parks and all of that.
“There are no such approvals, and we will not allow that,” he said.
The FCT Minister directed the Department of Development Control to work with security agencies to remove illegal structures and stop unauthorised operators in the affected areas.
He said the action was intended to prevent potential security breaches and safeguard public safety in the nation’s capital.
