By; SAMSON YAKI, Lafia
Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions (JUNSTI) to suspend its ongoing strike in the interest of the students and for the overall development of the state’s education sector.
The Chairman, Committee on Education of the state House of Assembly, Daniel Ogazi, who made the call during a meeting with the officials of the union in Lafia, promised to resolve the Issues in two weeks.
Ogazi said that suspending the strike by the lecturers would give room to the committee to discuss with the state government in order to implement their outstanding promotion arrears.
“We have heard you, your grievances and by the special grace of God, it will come to an end.
“I will plead on behalf of the government of Nasarawa State and the poor masses of Nasarawa State that you should go and continue with your lectures.
“And give us two weeks to negotiate with the government . We will negotiate sincerely with the government on your behalf.
“We will do the work of labour but please go and continue with your lectures.
“As His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule is a Governor that has passion for the education sector, he is a listening Governor, it is on this note that I urge us to always see dialogue as the best option to resolve grievances.
“Yesterday, I have met with the Head of Civil Service and there is positive response in that regards,” the Chairman said.
He disclosed that the committee is working hard with government in order to ensure that the state government takes over the salaries of staff of tertiary institutions in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of JUNSTI, Dr Ada Benjamin, said they were excluded from the ongoing implementation of promotions and annual increment of workers’ salaries across the state.
He expressed dismay that the members of the union were excluded from the implementation, hence the need of their decision to embark on the indefinite strike.
“What have we done wrong. What crime have we committed that the government will not implement our promotions.
“That was why we have gone on strike to press home our demands,” he said.
The union had on September 10, 2021 embarked on indefinite strike, bringing to halt academic activities in College of Education Akwanga, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia and College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia.
