THE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to adopt the first-line charge for payment of primary school teachers across the country.
National President of the union, Audu Amba, who made the plea against the backdrop of the Supreme Court judgement, which scrapped state and local governments’ joint account, and granted financial autonomy to councils, insisted that payment of teachers’ salaries should not be left with the councils.
They noted that from previous experience, teachers were owed salaries for several months until the creation of the state and local government joint account in 1994 to address the challenge.
The Supreme Court, in June, this year, scrapped the state and local government joint account ordering full financial autonomy for the 774 local government councils, with direct payment from the federation account without the involvement of states.
Although the union stated that it is not against local government autonomy, as such would ensure development in all the nooks and crannies of the state, Amba, however, expressed fears that the funds may be misused to the extent that payment of teachers’ salaries may become difficult.
“We are happy with the autonomy granted local councils, but the question is, what will be the fate of primary school teachers concerning salaries?
“What we are saying is that payment of primary school teachers, local government workers and traditional rulers should be deducted at first line charge and paid as and when due,” Ambastated.
