By Boluwaji Obahopo

Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Kogi State chapter has said that the State Government is owing the Basic Education Teachers in the State N23 billion. The State NUT Chairman, Comrade Suleman Abdullahi, who stated this in Lokoja while speaking with journalists said  N8.7billion of this debt are arrears of four years leave grant.

Abdullahi said the sad development has reduced the zeal of the teachers in discharging their duties adequately in the State, “With this development, there cannot be commitment from a teacher who is sick and hungry. There cannot be commitment from a teacher who is not sure of what he would be paid and when he will be paid”.

The NUT boss however charged the State Government to show more commitment and be proactive on the welfare of teachers, “At present, teachers can not pay medical expenses of their loved ones nor feed well while they are being ejected from their houses due to inability to pay rent.

“Government has done not less than six screening exercises since 2008 to date but the question is why has there not been official position by the government on all these reports? We expect the government to use the report to determine the number of teachers, pay four years leave grant, pay outstanding from the various percentages, implement promotion and pay salaries as at when due,” he said.

Abdullahi also denied the allegation that the union executive has compromised the welfare of basic education teachers, “Welfare of members is the union’s priority and, it is only an irresponsible government that would resort to bribing union officials and continue to have bad image.”