The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused teachers in the capital city of being unrealistic.
Speaking on the ongoing teachers’ strike, Wike stated that the FCT Administration under his leadership intervened, but the teachers refused to compromise.
He disclosed this during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday. The minister disclosed that he promised to pay the teachers in phases.
Wike said: “We intervened in the strike but some of the teachers have not been realistic, it will be difficult. We will pay in phases, that’s what I said.”
The Minister also lamented over the wage bill of his administration in comparison with the number of workers.
He added: “Almost 50,000 workers with a salary of ₦13bn every month, what do we get from the federal government?
“If federal government gets ₦800bn a year, it gives us one percent, one percent of ₦800bn is ₦8bn. With ₦8bn, can I pay the salaries with this new minimum wage? Can it pay allowances?
“I heard they locked the gate but they have taken their salaries, have you heard that you lock the gate but your salary will be paid?”