By: Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
Ahead of the planned teachers strike action by Abia state Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Thursday, the state government is making moves to stop the strike while assuring Abia teachers of government commitment to their welfare.
The state commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu, gave this assurance on Tuesday evening while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s EXCO meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
He stated that Governor Otti’s administration is a problem-solver and admitted that some sections of teachers are not happy on certain issues concerning their remuneration due to some differentials between the salaries of primary school teachers and their counterparts in the Junior Secondary schools.
The commissioner said that the issue has been overblown out of proportion, probably by the opposition, and stated that the Abia State Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, is on the matter and will be meeting with Abia state NUT leadership to address the issues raised by them.
“There is this news that has been trending in the social media of an impending strike by Abia teachers, yes we have a section of teachers who are not happy about certain issues concerning their remuneration owning partly to some differentials between the salaries of primary school teachers and their counterparts in the Junior Secondary schools.
” But honestly the issue has been blown out of proportion, probably by the opposition. The Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, is on the matter and will be meeting with NUT leadership to address that issue.
“This is a problem-solving administration, not one in which a governor goes frolicking while the state burns, “Prince Kanu stated.
He disclosed that the state government had concluded phase two of its teacher’s training program, a major component of its education sector reforms.
He said that Abia teachers have been receiving their minimum wage of N70,000 and have had their retirement age increased by Governor Alex Otti, from 60 years to 65 years, and other numerous benefits aimed at attracting good hands to the teaching profession.
It will be recalled that Abia state leadership of NUT last week served the state government a notice of strike action, alleging non-implementation of teachers’ salary structure (TSS) and retirement of teachers before the approval of 65 years, among other complaints.
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