* Threatens showdown
The Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned Abia State Government not to play politics with the welfare of teachers on its payroll.
The NUT, which accused the government of not honouring the agreements it entered with teachers, threatened to embark on strike to get what is legitimately due its members.
Te union had, in a December 2, 2020 letter, given the government 21 days to clear the salary arrears of its members, among other demands, or risk indefinite closure of schools.
In an enlarged State leadership meeting of NUT, Abia State wing held in Umuahia, the union observed that its members are still being owed backlog of salaries despite promises by the government.
The State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Kizito Kalu; and Secretary, Mrs. Nnenna Okonkwo, decried the attitude of the government towards teachers’ welfare, and threatened a showdown with it.
They declared thus in a statement: “That Abia State government has not taken any tangible step aimed at meeting the demands of the Union;
“That the three months’ salary payment out of 15 months arrears is insignificant;
“That Junior Secondary School Teachers are still being owed 11 months while Primary School Teachers are still on arrears of three months.”