Industrial strike: Akwa Ibom public schools reopen as Teachers’ Union suspends strike
By Joshua Hussain
The Akwa Ibom wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers has reached a unanimous conclusion to suspend its earlier declared strike action.
The union made this known via a statement released Friday, March 18 2022 which was signed by the State Chairman and Senior State Secretary, Comrades Edet Emenyi and Victor Amirize respectively.
In the statement which title reads, “Suspension of strike,” the union disclosed that the strike which was announced Tuesday 15 2022, had been suspended following a conclusive agreement between the union leaders and the state government on Thursday.
Consequently, the union directed all teachers to assume their normal duties today March 21 2022.
“The leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Akwa Ibom State wing hereby suspends its industrial action earlier declared against the Akwa Ibom State government from midnight of Tuesday 15th March, 2022.
“This is sequel to negotiation between the government team led by His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel and the leadership of the NUT led by Comrade Edet Emenyi on the 17th day of March 2022.
“These understanding were arrived: The immediate commencement of payments of leave grant for 2017 and 2018, immediate commencement of payments of one month minimum wage arrears to primary Schools teachers,” the statement read.
Among the several agreements reached between the union and the state government are, remittance of promotion arrears for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 to primary School teachers, immediate commencement of 2019, 2020, 2021 promotion exercise of teachers and remittance of 7.5 percent contributory pension refunds to teachers immediately records are reconciled.
Other issues addressed are the establishment of a Committee made up of NUT, NLC, and government representatives to decide on the modus operandi for the instalmental payment of 2019, 2020, and 2021 leave grants to primary Schools teachers, among other issues listed in the strike bulletin.
“The NUT, Akwa Ibom state wing appreciates our teachers, parents and students for showing understanding throughout the period of the strike. We pray that government will keep their side of any agreement reached to avoid any other disruption of the school system.
“Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State are hereby directed to resume normal academic activities from Monday 21st March 2022,” the statement affirmed.
