FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has justified the withholding of 10 per cent of Internally Generated Revenue from area councils, saying the funds are being used to settle unpaid salaries for primary school teachers. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike described the move as a temporary measure aimed at ending recurring strikes that have disrupted academic activities. "Nobody is complaining because those affected understand what is going on. We are collecting 10 per cent for a defined period to solve a problem that has kept our children at home," he said. The withheld funds are being disbursed monthly to clear accumulated arrears, with Wike stressing that the FCT Administration will not return the money until obligations are met. He dismissed concerns that the deduction could hamper infrastructure projects, stating that education must take priority. "What is the use of building infrastructure when children are not in school? Education is critical, and we must fix it first," Wike said. He added that some area councils lack the financial capacity to resolve the crisis alone, making the intervention necessary. The minister assured residents the policy is targeted and temporary, with normal revenue remittance set to resume once the arrears are cleared. "This is not forever. It is a solution to a specific problem, and once it is resolved, normal processes will continue," he said.
Wike claims councils cannot afford to pay their teachers, yet expects them to fund infrastructure without the same revenue. If the councils lack capacity to clear salary debts, how are they expected to maintain development projects on reduced funds? The minister frames education as the priority, but the policy shifts financial burden to councils without addressing root funding flaws. Residents are told the measure is temporary, but no timeline has been given for when normal remittances will resume.
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