The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike, has held the Area Council Chairmen responsible for the ongoing strike by teachers in primary schools, under the Nigerian Union Teachers (NUT), FCT branch.
Speaking today, January 16, shortly after an emergency security meeting, minister Wike said that he has reports about Area Council Chairmen abdicating their responsibilities and travelling outside their Councils.
He asked them to sit up and address the teachers’ complains, warning that abdication of responsibilities would not be accepted.
“This time around, we will not be happy where area Council Chairmen will abdicate their responsibilities and travel out. We have gotten reports that Council Chairmen travel anytime and if anything happens, of course, they will not call anybody’s name. They will call the FCT Minister.
“Recently, the NUT embarked on a strike. It is not because of our fault. It is the Area Councils. Primary schools are under the purview of the Area Councils. But again, it will look as if the Ministers are doing nothing. But that is not our responsibility. “However, we cannot fold our hands. We have invited them to a meeting this afternoon to see how we can also resolve the problem.
“So, the Council Chairmen should know you must live up to your responsibilities. It’s not everything that happens they will say it’s the Ministers that are not taking steps.”
The security meeting was attended by the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud; Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed; the Director, Department of Security Services, Adamu Gwary and heads of the various security agencies in the capital city.
