Eric Patrick
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the National Assembly for its inaction regarding the ongoing strike by primary school teachers in Abuja.
He specifically called out the committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, accusing them of failing to step in and address the situation, which has left schools shut for an extended period.
Wike said this on Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Abuja.
The prolonged strike that has shut down primary schools for months has sparked widespread public concern.
Wike condemned the continued disruption of education, describing it as a form of sabotage.
Responding to questions about whether area council chairmen were too influential to be held accountable, Wike rejected the idea but emphasised the gravity of the crisis, urging decisive action to resolve the impasse.
“I do not know what you mean by too powerful. All I would say is they were elected and not appointed.
“But one thing you must know is that denying people education is like trying to say you are causing a coup in the country or in FCT. Be assured that everything is being done to see that the teachers go back,” he said.
The minister, however, criticised the National Assembly committees overseeing the FCT Area Councils, for focusing on “irrelevant” matters rather than resolving the crisis.
“But you see, the problem we have, we have committees of the FCT, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. We have chairman of the area councils.
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“The chairman of committees of area councils, their responsibility is to oversee what the area councils are doing because the legislature of the FCT today is the National Assembly.
“That is what the chairman of House Committee of the National Assembly has to look at the problem in the area councils. But it’s unfortunate they concentrate on just inviting ministers to come and defend,” he added.
Wike expressed disappointment that after a minister has defended a budget, another House Committee chairman of area councils will tell the minister of state to present the budget.
“People don’t do what they’re supposed to do. They concentrate on things that do not fall within their jurisdiction.
“What do we need to solve this problem? But they will focus on irrelevant things, trying to see how there’s division, there’s discord in the FCT.
“We have said, those things would not work. But go home and sleep very well. Very soon, this problem should be sorted out, regarding the primary school teachers, because nobody can feel happy when the teachers are at home.
“It is the basic thing that we must do and I can assure you very soon that the matter will be resolved.”
The strike, which stems from unpaid entitlements and poor working conditions, has left thousands of pupils stranded.