“Government Is Open To Negotiations” Benue Education Commissioner tells Striking ASUTIBS
By prosper Okoye –
Benue State Commissioner for Education, Dr Sarwuan Tarnongu has assured the striking Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions in Benue State (ASUTIBS) that the state government is opened to negotiation and will not short change any staff of their required benefits.
The Commissioner who gave the assurance while meeting with Heads of Tertiary Institutions in the state said his principal has “shown a human face” by down playing the “No work No pay” policy as the two months salaries accrueing to staff of the union within the period of the strike were cleared.
He therefore appeal to the Heads to prevail on the union, who are staff of their institutions to call off the strike and come to the negotiation table.
He said “we are all stakeholders in the Benue project, we are interested in the growth of the state and whatever that will be done to move the state forward should interest all of us. We cannot destroy our schools due to challenges.
“We know there are problems as stated, but government is disposed to finding solutions to all of them”.
He assured that “the state government does not intend to shortchange any staff of their benefits, we will look for ways of addressing them appropriately”
Tarnongu further appealed to the Heads to have mercy on government when making their demands. He urged them to be judicious in managing the little resources at their disposal saying by doing so, they will not be totally reliant on the state government.
“When you are making demands on the government for improvement of the facilities, for provision of infrastructure in the school, let us be mindful of the economic situation of the state. Let us put something forward that will be reasonable to look at.
“We know there are challenges but there is no way we can meet up with all these at the same time. So in submitting your request, yes it is good for us to know all but prioritize them.
“I want to also appeal to you, I know it is difficult but the little funds at your disposal by way of payment of fees and other consultancy services, I employ you to make judicious use of it. No matter how small you can save to apply in your area of development, it will go a long way to allievate the challenges we have” he said.
Tarnongu said “The economy is not friendly but we believe that all the problems are surmountable. The issue of accreditation is a major challenge for all the Institutions and it is part of my priority to ensure that it is resolved” he assured.
He appreciated the the Heads for identifying with him saying “I believe that with your cooperation and support we shall summont the challenges facing us particularly at the tertiary level.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and Rector, Apkeran Orshi Polytechnic, Engr Dr Samuel Ahemen, said the visit was to congratulate the commissioner on his appointment. They expressed hope, that he was going to do well given his antecedents and knowledge of the happenings in the education sector.
The Heads further lauded Governor Samuel Ortom for his foresight in “putting a round peg in a round hole.
The Heads took turns to elucidate on the various challenges bothering their institutions, top of which is the current ASUTIBS strike which they say have crippled academic activities with varying adverse effects if not resolved immediately.
The institution principals expressed fears about being cut off by institution accrediting bodies as a result of not being able to scale through accreditation, due to poor educational infrastructure and development.
Other Heads of Tertiary Institutions in the state are; Rector, Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Prof Barnabas Anger, Acting Rector, Ben Poly, Ugbokolo, Bem Magun, Provost, College of Education Oju, Sunday Edo, Provost College of Education Kastina-ala, Tsavwua James
