Teachers Salaries: Ebonyi State NUT Declares Strike As C' River Teachers Set for Show Down
From Omaka OKOH (Abakaliki) and Ekpenyong Ekpenyong, (Calabar)
The Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ebonyi State has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas due to the non-payment of four months’ salaries to some teachers.
Relatedly, Cross River is set for a show down over non-payment of salaries to some teachers in some local government areas of the state.
In a statement released by NUT Secretary, Bassey Asuquo, the affected LGAs listed include Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu, and Ohaukwu.
“Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilisation for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work on February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare an indefinite strike in the following local government areas of Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo, and Ohaukwu,” the statement read.
The NUT directed its state and branch officers in the affected LGAs to strictly enforce the strike from 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action. This includes organising and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring compliance across the affected localities”.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that pupils who went to school on Thursday and Friday were reportedly sent home by union leaders and teachers.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Paul Nwobasi stated that he summoned a meeting with the affected local government chairmen and union executives in an effort to resolve the matter.
He added that all efforts to reach NUT members were unsuccessful, as he has rescheduled another meeting with the Union leaders.
Similarly, Cross River NUJ seems poised for a showdown as some testers have not been paid since December 2024.
THE BEAGLE NEWS gathered that there are selective payments of teachers at local government level.
Early this week, some teachers were said to have stormed the Accountant General's Office (AG) in Calabar, demanding payment of outstanding arrears of salaries.
Source said some of them expressed disappointment as they could not see the AG to find out what is the problem as AG was having a birthday bash in the office.
This development has piqued some NUT officials who are said to be exploring an option of industrial action if their salaries are not paid up to date.
