The Edo wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday in Benin suspended its 40-day- old primary school teachers strike.

Announcing the suspension at the end of a closed door meeting between the state government and other stake holders, Mr Patrick Ikosimi, state NUT Chairman, said that the suspension took immediate effect. He, therefore, directed primary school teachers in the state to resume work effective Thursday, adding that the suspension became imperative in view of the interest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Mr Emmanuel Ademokun, state NLC Chairman, while commending the NUT and the state government for finally brokering peace, appealed to government to extend
the payment of the 27.5 per cent to the teachers. In his response, Gov. Adams Oshiomhole thanked the teachers for resolving to suspend the strike embarked upon by the teachers to press for the implementation of the Teachers Peculiarity Allowance (TPA).

Oshiomhole also apologised to parents for the delay in resolving the impasse between the government and the teachers and pledged to do everything possible to make up the time loss. ``I apologise to parents whose children have been at home for no fault of theirs, siblings are bound to quarrel, but the important thing is to settle after the quarrel,'' he said.

He explained that with the suspension of the strike, a peaceful environment had been created for government, NLC, NUT, and the local government council authorities to commence negotiation with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue on ground.

He, however, promised that government would continue to ensure that a conducive environment was provided in the state public schools for both teaching and learning.