By Mike Adeyemi
The Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a 21- day ultimatum to the state government to find lasting solution to the backlog of salary owed its members.
Speaking with our reporter in his office at the weekend, the NUT Chairman, Alhaji Musa Abubakar said the ultimatum will elapse February 10.
“We have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government in respect of the backlog of salary owed Primary and Junior Secondary School teachers.
“As at today, teachers in Kwara State are being owed three months salary which cumulatively makes 292 per cent.
“Also, about 1,302 teachers that have Bank Verification Number(BVN) related problems are yet to be paid June 2016 salary,” he said.
Abubakar blamed teachers’ salary challenge on to the drop in the monthly federal allocation under the present administration.
“Despite the fact that teachers of primary and junior secondary schools draw their salaries from the local government fund, the state government equally has a role to play,” Abubakar explained.
He stated that the NUT in the state is expressing its grievances to both the federal and state government following directive from the national headquarters of the union.
He suggested that primary education should be taken from the Local government purview.
To ensure teachers are paid their salaries promptly, the NUT boss implored the state government to augment the monthly salary of teachers as it is being done in other states of the federation.
He added that the state government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of recent is robust and enough for the intervention, adding that development of the education sector should be the core responsibility of any government.
Abubakar however applauded the state government for the recent promotion of about 17,000 teachers in Kwara even as he called for urgent monetisation in order for the affected teachers to enjoy the benefits of their promotion.
Speaking on the ‘Endwell Scheme’ of the NUT, Abubakar stated that it is targeted at cushioning the effect of retirement as teachers are often owed gratuities after retirement.
Abubakar acknowledged that the Kwara State Government has written a proposal to take over the salary of the Junior Secondary Schools teachers in the state.
When contacted, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Abdulkareem Lambe said he is out of town adding that the reporter should check at his office during the week.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Dr Muyideen Akorede said the state government is unaware of any NUT strike ultimatum. According to him, the government is considering taking over the salary of teachers in the junior secondary school.
“The state government is looking at ways to intervene in the situation but that would be after vital consideration had been done.”
