From Dan Maduagwu,
Umuahia
The Eastern Regional Committee of the Nigerian Union of Teachers has insisted that the on-going strike over non-payment of salaries arrears can only be called off if they are paid by the State government.
The Regional Committee which is drawn from the nine States of old Eastern Region, was led in the solidarity visit by Comrade Etim Etim Ukpong, the Chairman of NUT, Akwa Ibom State who tasked the Abia State government on the need to end the industrial actions through payment of their salary arrears.
Comrade Ukpong who commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the steps his administration has taken so far in addressing the problem, noted that Senior Secondary school teachers in Abia were owed 12 months while the teachers in Junior Secondary school of public were owed 11 months, adding that those in the public primary schools were now owed 2 months.
Comrade Ukpong further listed non- payment of accrued allowances as another reason the teachers had remained at home, promising that Abia teachers were ready to resume class if their welfare received commensurate attention from the State government.
In a statement issued by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Commissioner for Information, the State government made it clear that the State government took a good care of teachers in the State, contrary to alleged plots of some enemies of the State government.
The strike actions, the Information Commissioner said, was surprising as the teachers had been paid for most of the months they claimed to have been owed.
