Teachers Appeals to Gov. Kefas to Clear Outstanding 4 Months Salary Arrears

The Taraba State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Friday appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas to clear the outstanding four months' salary arrears of teachers in the state.

The State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Nathan Solomon, made the appeal while answering questions from newsmen in Jalingo, stating that the four months' salary arrears owed by the government are their right.

He added that despite the fact that the governor inherited the four months' salary arrears from the previous administration, it has become crucial for the current administration to clear the arrears to ease the teachers' suffering.

"We all understand that the previous government left with our four months' salary arrears, but we also want to bring it to the knowledge of the governor that government is a continuous process," he said.

He maintained that clearing the four months' salary arrears would boost teachers' morale to deliver quality education to pupils and students in the state.

He revealed that the former administration withheld the salary of teachers for over one and a half years before Governor Kefas took office.

"The previous government divided Taraba NUT and brought in an illegal body to run the union, but teachers stood their ground and insisted that the right thing must be done. In the process, teachers went through difficult times, and that led to the former government denying them their entitlements."

"We stood our ground and kicked against factions, uniting all the teachers, which has helped us come together as one," he added.

Nathan, who thanked Governor Kefas for paying some retirees their gratuities, also appealed for the release of more funds to enable those remaining to receive their benefits.