Kogi govt is damaging education, teachers live in abject poverty, NUT says

Teachers in Kogi state have threatened industrial action over unpaid salaries and entitlements government's insensitivity to their plight.

Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers

The state NUT chairman, Suleiman Abdullahi

""The issues still at stake include non-implementation of 100 per cent minimum wage to Basic Education teachers in consonance with the September 2013 agreement, non-implementation of promotions for the past four years, Non-payment of annual leave allowances since 2011, non-implementation of annual incremental steps since 2011, non-payment of December 2014 salary, non-payment of November 2014 outstanding salary to teachers in Okene, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala LGEA and delay in the payment of salaries," Abdullahi said.

He revealed that most of the teachers are presently living in abject poverty while some have died because of the hardship they suffer.

"It is worrisome that government does not seem to appreciate the damage that it is tacitly causing, not only to teachers and their families, but to the entire education subsector and the future of the state by glossing over the plight of teachers for so long."

The union boss also pointed out inconsistencies in the percentage used in payment of January, February and March salaries as well as omissions and underpayment of salaries.

Abdullahi warned that if the demands remain unmet, the union would embark on an industrial strike because it has exhausted all peaceful means.