C' RIVER GOV'T READY TO MEET TEACHERS' DEMANDS IN THE STATE

By Kingsley Agim

The State Government has expressed its readiness to meet the demands of the Nigeria Union of Teachers concerning teachers’ welfare in the State.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu made this disclosure during a meeting with Executives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, held recently in Government House, Calabar.

Prof. Esu intimated representatives of NUT that a directive has been given by the Governor, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be prepared for signing between the government and the teachers’ body.

He assured teachers that the Ayade-led administration would meet all their demands, given the significant role teachers play in the development of the society, adding that government attaches great importance to the welfare of teachers both in the primary and secondary schools and beyond.

Prof. Esu also appealed to NUT to withdraw its 21-days ultimatum to the government and put off the idea of the planned industrial action, given the State Government’s resolve to meet its demands.

In his remarks, the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Stephen Odey hinted that NUT’s demands were already being handled even before the body issued a deadline.

He also disclosed that SUBEB is handling teachers’ promotion while emoluments accruing to such promotion are ready for implementation.

In his response, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Eyonsa Itam expressed the Union’s satisfaction in the outcome of the meeting and hoped that the State Government would meet all NUT’s demands as agreed.

Comrade Itam entreated teachers to exert patience while awaiting positive action from the government from the outcome of their meeting.

It would be recalled that the NUT had earlier issued a 21days ultimatum to Government on its intention to embark on industrial action, if its 8-point demand is not met.