24/04/2014
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP),
on Wednesday, said it had concluded plans to
stage a nationwide protest over what it described
as government’s insensitivity to its lingering strike.
The National President of the union, Dr Chibuzo
Asomugha, told newsmen in Abuja that the protest
would take place on April 29.
This is coming on the heels of Kebbi State chapter
of the union’s decision on Tuesday to call off the
10-month old strike.
Asomugha said failure by the Federal Government
to meet the demands of ASUP and the Colleges of
Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the
consequent shutdown of the nation’s public
polytechnics and colleges of education was
worrisome.
“In fact, we are planning for the protest on April 29
and if it doesn’t come up on the 29th, then it would
be immediately after May Day.
“We have been waiting for the federal government.
The strike should have been suspended about
three weeks ago but we haven’t heard from them.
“So, with this kind of development we do not even
think there is any measure of sincerity on the part
of the government,’’ he said.
According to him, the strike has lingered and
members are beginning to give in to pressure.
“Ten months into the strike, some chapters are
coming under pressure but there are provisions in
our constitution to take care of such betrayals.
He expressed confidence in the resilience of ASUP
members,
He said the union would hold final meeting on the
proposed strike with the Nigeria Labour Congress
and other stakeholders.
Nyesom Wike, Supervising Minister of Education,
had in a meeting in February with the union,
accused it of thwarting government’s efforts at
resolving the strike.
The government later set up another committee,
headed by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka
Wogu, and was yet to convince the striking
lecturers. [NAN]
