Unpaid Salary: Primary School teachers embark on strike in Akwa Ibom
Public primary school teachers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nsit Ibom Local Government Area Branch, Akwa Ibom State, have defied the state government’s directive for resumption of academic activities.
Their action is a protest against nonpayment of their November 2021 salary.
The union via a notice sighted by our reporter directed members (teachers) to stay away from school until their salary is paid by the state government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The notice signed by Comrade Ekom A. John and Comrade Michael Ukana, Branch Chairman and Branch Secretary, respectively, has since been pasted at all public primary schools in the area.
The notice reads: “This is to notify teachers in this school that public primary schools are not yet reopened in Nsit Ibom Local Area until the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) pays the November 2021 salary to us as they had paid to teachers in other Local Government Areas. Until that is done, stay away from this premises till otherwise directed.
An injury to one is an injury to all! What an injustice!”
This reporter gleaned that members of the NUT had written severally to the SUBEB Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, seeking an amicable resolution of the issue but received no response.
The latest letter written to the SUBEB Chairman, dates January 7, 2022.
The union in the letter accused the board chairman of “flagrant perversion of the welfare of teachers.””
It reads: “the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nsit Ibom Branch observes with great consternation the flagrant perversion of the welfare of teachers under the employ of your Board.
“”The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) devoid of human sympathy has the mind to withhold the payment of November 2021 salary to Primary Schools Teachers inspite of our consistent dialogue and passionate appeal to the account section of the board to address such magnitude of injustice.
“Subsequently, we wish to notify your good offices that no public primary school in the Local Government will be reopened for whatever reason on Monday 10 January, 2022 until the said month’s salary is paid.”
The development contrasts persistent claims by the Akwa Ibom State Government that the welfare of civil servants is properly taken care of.
When contacted, SUBEB Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, said no civil servant is being owed.
In a recent interview on Brekete TV/Radio Programme, Governor Udom Emmanuel reiterated that his administration is not indebted to civil servants and retirees.
