The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) wants the State-Local Government Joint account to remain as it will enable the smooth running of primary schools in the Local Government Areas. The call was made when the National Executive of NUT paid a courtesy call to the House of Representatives yesterday. National President of NUT, Comrade Michael Olukoya told the Speaker of House of Representative Hon Aminu Tambuwal who received them that the union made the visit to let Nigerians know their stand on the issue coming at a time which the constitution is being review.

President of NUT said experience from the past has shown that giving autonomy to Local Governments will not augur well for teachers as they will be go back to the days of non-payment of salaries. He recalled that primary school teachers were owed 6 to 12 months salaries while pensions and gratuities were not paid to retired teachers between 1990 and 1994 when the Local Governments had financial autonomy.  Olukoya urged the House of Representatives to support NUT by maintaining the status quo rather than reverting back to Local Government financial autonomy. He pleaded with the House of Reps to mediate in Plateau State where teachers were yet to be paid about eight months salaries and Bauchi State for laying off 10,000 teachers.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) wants the State-Local Government Joint account to remain as it will enable the smooth running of primary schools in the Local Government Areas. The call was made when the National Executive of NUT paid a courtesy call to the House of Representatives yesterday. National President of NUT, Comrade Michael Olukoya told the Speaker of House of Representative Hon Aminu Tambuwal who received them that the union made the visit to let Nigerians know their stand on the issue coming at a time which the constitution is being review.

President of NUT said experience from the past has shown that giving autonomy to Local Governments will not augur well for teachers as they will be go back to the days of non-payment of salaries. He recalled that primary school teachers were owed 6 to 12 months salaries while pensions and gratuities were not paid to retired teachers between 1990 and 1994 when the Local Governments had financial autonomy.  Olukoya urged the House of Representatives to support NUT by maintaining the status quo rather than reverting back to Local Government financial autonomy. He pleaded with the House of Reps to mediate in Plateau State where teachers were yet to be paid about eight months salaries and Bauchi State for laying off 10,000 teachers.

Tambuwal responded by saying the House of reps will look into the issues raised. He also said that the visit has given Nigerians the opportunity to hear from different sides as the general impression was that State Governments were misappropriating Local Government funds from the joint account.

By Augustine Ishaku

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NUT wants the State-Local Government Joint Account to be sustained