Standup9ja: Bayelsa
Averts Teachers’ Strike, Pays April Salary
The
government of Bayelsa has averted a planned three-day warning strike by
teachers in the state after the payment of April salary for primary school
teachers in the state.
The state
chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had planned to proceed on a warning
strike to press for payment of up to seven months salary arrears.
While
speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Sunday, Dr Agatha
Goma, Bayelsa Commissioner for Local Government Administration, said the
ministry had met with the teachers union to avert the strike.
She also
lauded the primary school teachers for their patience and assured that the
state government would implement all agreements reached with their union.
Goma
attributed the delay in the payment of the salaries to paucity of funds due to
dwindling revenue as a result of economic downturn.
The
commissioner explained that the local government share of the Paris Club
refunds was deployed to the payment of salaries of primary school teachers.
According to
her, as part of government demonstration of good faith, local council workers
are now getting full salary as against half salaries paid last year.
The
commissioner said the state government would continue to work with the local
authorities to find permanent solution to the lingering financial crisis in the
councils.
Goma said
government was aware of the critical roles of teachers in the ongoing
educational revolution in the state and would not toy with their welfare.
“Teachers welfare is pivotal to Gov.
Seriake Dicksons revolution in the education sector. There is no deliberate
effort to undermine teachers welfare.
“The issues of half salary in 2016 and
delays in payment arose because of the recession in the Nigerian economy.
“But the teachers should be assured that
government is concerned about their welfare and everything is being done to
find a permanent solution to this challenge,’’ Goma said.
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