ASUU STRIKE: “BSU Is In Full Compliance”_ BSU ASUU Chairman
.. Threatens to embark on another strike, if internal challenges remain unresolved
Chairman BSU ASUU, Kwaghfan Tarnongu
By Prosper Okoye –
Benue State University (BSU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), has said that its members are in full support of the one month warning strike declared by its national body.
Chairman of BSU ASUU, Kwaghfan Tarnongu, in an interview with the reporter on Thursday, expressed conviction on the rightness of the called warning strike action.
“Even though the strike was declared by the national body, BSU is in full compliance. Because, most of the infrastructure we have in the University was built by TETfund, which came as a result of the national Union struggles.
“Our Union went into an agreement with the federal government in 2009,13 years now; the government is yet to comply despite haven pleaded, dialogued, sought for interventions from different quarter.
The recent intervention pleading with the federal government before the decision for a warning strike, was done by the Nigerian Inter-religion Council.
They discussed about the plights of Universities lecturers, and the deficiencies in the University system. The government still did not adhere to the agreement.
“We the members of ASUU National Executive Council, after a review of the situation, on the 12 to 13th of Feb. at the University of Lagos, concluded that the federal government is not being sincere with the union, hence we have decided to withdraw our services.”
Mr. Kwaghfan further deplored the Benue state government disposition towards the internal welfare of the University lecturers, and warned that the union will call for an internal strike if these challenges remain unresolved.
“The lecturers are the major reason the students enroll in the University, but adequate concern is not shown to our welfare.
“Peculiar issues of ASUU members still unaddressed by the state government are: non-payment of over 50 months of earned academic allowances; denial of 2 years incremental steps; continuous payment of previous salaries after promotion; notional promotion; non payment of full salaries of union members. Kwaghfan highlighted.
Students were seen inside the university campuses, but were not having lectures at the time of visit.
In a related development, the BSU Registrar, Mrs. Mfaga Modom, has released a circular to students, on the 16th of February, advising them to “remain calm and continue to study for the completion of the first semester 2020/2021 examination.
“The university management wishes to inform students that in the interim, management will continue to constructively engage the union, to grant a waver to Benue state university to enable them complete their examinations.” The circular read.
Speaking, BSU Student Union Government, Secretary General, Chocho Raymond, said the student Union sympathizes with the struggle of ASUU. He described the strike as a just course.
“The Union are fighting for their rights, but they should also consider the academic position of the students. We are very backward in our calender. Other schools have finished their first semester examinations and have started second semester. ”
He also mentioned that the Student Union Government will sit on Monday, 21st Feb. to further deliberate on the strike, as it concerns the welfare of students.
It’s all good. So long as both parties meet a resolution.