Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has called on the National Assembly to intensify oversight of the FCT area councils, particularly in light of the ongoing strike by primary school teachers and other council workers over unpaid allowances and entitlements.
Wike made the statement in Abuja on Thursday after inspecting several ongoing projects. He expressed concern over the prolonged teachers’ strike, warning of its detrimental impact on education in the territory.
The minister urged the House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Council and Ancillary Matters to intervene, stating that the responsibility of the committee is not limited to overseeing the FCT Administration, but extends to ensuring accountability among elected area council chairmen.
“I have been talking to the council chairmen to understand the danger of denying children education,” Wike said. “The chairman of the committee of area councils’ responsibility is to oversee what the area councils are doing because the legislature of the FCT today is the National Assembly.”
He criticized the committee for focusing on summoning the minister of state to defend already-reviewed budgets rather than addressing the root issues affecting governance at the council level.
Wike stressed that the National Assembly, as the legislative body for the FCT, must play a more proactive role in checking the performance and decisions of area council chairmen, especially when public welfare, like basic education, is compromised.
He assured the public that his administration would do everything possible to resolve the teachers’ strike and restore normalcy in the affected schools.
“Nobody can feel happy when the teachers are at home. It is the basic thing that we must do, and I can assure you that very soon the matter will be resolved,” he added.
What you should know
The FCT’s primary school teachers are on strike over unpaid benefits, and Minister Wike believes the National Assembly should hold area council chairmen accountable.
He urges lawmakers to shift their attention from bureaucracy to real governance oversight that directly impacts children’s education.
