The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the decision to withhold 10 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due to area councils, stating that the funds are being used to clear salary arrears owed to primary school teachers.
Speaking during a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike dismissed criticisms of the policy, insisting that the move is a temporary intervention aimed at ending persistent strikes in the education sector.
“Nobody is complaining because those affected understand what is going on. We are collecting 10 per cent for a defined period to solve a problem that has kept our children at home,” he said.
According to the minister, the withheld funds are being directly channelled into settling outstanding entitlements, particularly at the primary school level, where unpaid salaries and poor welfare conditions have disrupted academic activities.
“Our children have been at home because teachers are not paid, that is unacceptable. We have to step in and ensure that these obligations are met,” he added.
Wike disclosed that the arrangement includes structured monthly disbursements to gradually offset accumulated arrears, stressing that the administration is determined to restore stability to the school system.
“We are paying a fixed amount every month until the arrears are cleared. If we return that money without solving the problem, the strikes will continue. We will not allow that,” he stated.
He rejected concerns that the deductions could affect infrastructure development or contractor payments, arguing that education and human capital development must take precedence.
“What is the use of building infrastructure when children are not in school? Education is critical, and we must fix it first,” Wike said.
The minister also maintained that many area councils lack the financial capacity to resolve the salary crisis independently, necessitating intervention by the FCT Administration.
“Some of these councils cannot handle the burden. That is why we stepped in. The goal is simple—get the teachers back to the classrooms and stabilise the system,” he said.
Wike assured residents that the measure is temporary and targeted, adding that normal revenue remittance processes would resume once the issue is resolved.
“This is not forever. It is a solution to a specific problem, and once it is resolved, normal processes will continue,” he added.
