18th November, 2011
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said on Friday that it might embark on another strike if the Federal Government failed to meet the November 22 deadline to implement its 2009 agreement with the union.
Dr. Clement Chup, Chairman of the University of Abuja chapter of the union, said this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory.
Chup said that he was dismayed by what he described as the government’s insensitivity to issues bordering on education.
He recalled that the Federal Government had, during the union’s one-week warning strike in September, promised to ensure full implementation of the 2009 agreement on, or before November 22.
Chup said that sequel to the government’s promise, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of ASUU met and fixed a meeting for November 30, allowing a week of grace for the government to review its position.
The ASUU boss noted, however, that with less than a week to November 22, the Federal Government had yet to invite ASUU to a meeting.
Chup said that consequently, “failure of government to keep to its promise will amount to an indefinite strike after the NEC meeting since strike is the only language preferred by the Federal Government.”
He disclosed nonetheless that the Federal Government had implemented the salary component of the agreement, leaving out funding and amendment of certain laws affecting universities’ operations.
“The current struggle by ASUU for better funding of the nation’s universities is to enhance good teaching and learning environment,” he said.
Chup urged the intervention of stakeholders in tertiary education to forestall any strike in the interest of the students.