Yobe Teachers kick against salary deductions to fund Identity Card project

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Yobe, on Monday rejected plans to deduct N13 million from salaries of its members to print Identity Cards.

Chairman of the union in the state, Malam Ibrahim Lawan, told newsmen in Damaturu that his members would embark on strike if the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) insisted on going ahead with the project.

“The decision to deduct the money from teachers’ salaries to finance the identity card project will cause industrial disharmony between teachers and the board.

“Teachers in the state have more pressing issues like promotions, implementation of last promotions and other welfare packages such as housing and accommodation.

“Our members, about 13,000, have expressed concern over the proposed deduction of N1,000 each from their salaries, and are willing to put down tools if the decision was not rescinded,” he warned.

Lawan, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, said teachers had the right to reject any illegal and forceful deduction from their salaries.

Some teachers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity, described the identity card project as unnecessary.

“Our current identity cards are still valid. We do not see any reason for the production of another at the expense of the teachers. We don’t need any other card.” said one of them.

In his response, the Chairman of SUBEB in Yobe, Alhaji Gagarau Bizi, said the identity cards would only be produced with the consent of the union and the teachers.

“If they are not interested and they do not want it, then we close the chapter and consider the project dead,” he told newsmen .(NAN)