ASUU Strike: We Are Not Sure When It Will End – Fagge
The President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge has said that although the Union has begun consultations among its members following discussions with Vice President, Namadi Sambo, it cannot confirm when it will call off the ongoing strike.
Fagge spoke with journalists in Makurdi shortly after the Union’s congress meeting at the Benue State University.
According to him, the body’s position would be made known to the public after consultations are concluded.
President Jonathan had two weeks ago delegated his Deputy, Sambo, to take over negotiation with ASUU after several efforts by Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam-led Needs Assessment Implementation Committee failed.
The Union leader maintained that the struggle would continue until the 2009 agreement was met.
He added that all ASUU wants is “implementation of the recommendation of the National Coordinating Committee, which would enable our universities to be fully engaged in research to produce graduates that would meet the test of time.”
Fagge denied insinuation that it was playing politics with the strike, insisting that the federal government is the party doing so.
Reacting on the threat by Governor Gabriel Suswam to enforce the labour law of’ ‘ no work no pay’ on the striking BSU lecturers as from this month, if they fail to resume work, the ASUU president urged him to go ahead with his plan if he feels it is the best option.
“Let Suswam go ahead and do whatever he likes. Lecturers have said they cannot continue working if the academic environment is not conducive. If Governor Suswam is not happy with ASUU’s stance, then so be it.”
