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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has called on the National Assembly to intensify oversight of the territory’s area councils amid an ongoing strike by primary school teachers and council workers.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during an inspection of FCT infrastructure projects, Wike attributed the strike to unpaid allowances and other entitlements, and urged legislative intervention.
He appealed specifically to the House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters to take decisive steps to resolve the prolonged industrial action that has shut down learning in the territory’s primary schools.
“These council chairmen are elected officials, not appointees. It is the duty of the committee to investigate and ensure they fulfil their responsibilities,” Wike said.
He criticised the committee for what he described as misplaced priorities, accusing it of focusing on repeatedly summoning FCT Administration officials instead of overseeing the area councils where the actual problems exist.
“The committee’s core duty is to oversee area council activities, not to call ministers to defend already approved budgets,” he said.
Wike added that he had personally engaged with the council chairmen and warned them of the consequences of prolonged school closures. However, he maintained that firm legislative pressure was required to drive meaningful change.
“I expected the committee to summon the area council chairmen and compel them to act. That is the kind of leadership the situation requires,” he stated.
The minister assured residents that efforts were ongoing to resolve the strike and return children to their classrooms.
“No one is happy seeing our children out of school. It is a basic responsibility we must fulfil, and I assure you that a solution will soon be reached,” Wike said.
