By Hauwau Shehu Maikeffi
On Thursday, primary school teachers and area council workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding the payment of outstanding entitlements, including the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and other arrears. 
The protest was organized by the joint unions of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Participants carried placards with inscriptions such as “Pay us our balance of 60% minimum wage arrears,” “No to unfulfilled agreements,” and “Give us our entitlements.” 
The demonstrators expressed frustration over the non-payment of their entitlements by the six area council chairmen in the FCT. They highlighted the economic hardships faced due to the delay in implementing the new minimum wage and the accumulation of unpaid arrears.  
In response to the ongoing issues, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had previously approved ₦4 billion for the payment of the minimum wage and other allowances for the affected workers. However, the funds have yet to be disbursed to the respective area councils, leading to continued dissatisfaction among the workers. 
The joint unions have called for immediate action to address their grievances, warning that failure to implement the agreed-upon resolutions could lead to further industrial actions. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the approved funds to ensure that workers receive their rightful entitlements. 
This protest underscores the ongoing challenges faced by primary school teachers and area council workers in the FCT, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to resolve the issues and improve the welfare of the affected workers.
