The Ebonyi State Government has expressed regret over the delay in paying teachers’ salaries for February and March, attributing the issue to a shortfall in federal allocations.
Professor Paul Nwobashi, Commissioner for Education (Primary and Secondary Schools), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Friday. He explained that the problem stemmed from the local governments’ inability to receive their statutory allocations from the Federation Account, which has disrupted salary payments.
Teachers under the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (EBSUBEB) and those in the local government system are affected. Their salaries, funded by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), are paid directly into the Local Government Federal Allocation Account.
Nwobashi acknowledged the state government’s intervention in supplementing local government funds to mitigate hardship, having previously assisted with December and January salaries. He assured that efforts were underway to resolve the issue promptly.
“We are in constant discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT),” he said. “Once allocations are received, payments will be made.”
Mr David Elom, NUT’s national representative in Ebonyi, confirmed the non-payment, describing the situation as “pathetic.” He noted that the union had engaged state officials to seek a resolution.
