Plateau State University ASUU goes on strike

The Plateau State University chapter, Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has commenced an indefinite strike demanding for improved welfare and working environment.

In a joint statement issued by the chairperson and the Secretary, Dr. Hassan Zitta and Deme Bitrus, respectively, it explained that the decision to go on strike was reached at its congress conducted on Monday, 20th December, 2021.

The statement noted that the Plateau government failed to honour the agreement it entered with the union, resulting in the decision for the industrial action.

It stated that the lingering issues border on the rising insecurity around the university and non-payment of earned allowances.

The union said that there was lack of accommodation for both students and staff, calling on the government to construct more lecture halls, among others.

It explained, “At our congress held on Monday, Dec. 20, members reviewed the level of implementation of Plateau State Government/ASUU-PLASU agreement.”

According to the statement, the union resolved that the state government having signed an agreement with the Union on March 2, 2021, has not kept faith with the document.

It added that the government had also failed to address security concerns by deploying the services of armed Civil Defence Corps.

The statement observed that the Plateau government had also failed to locate a functional police outpost in the university’s host community, as well as its inability to settle the national minimum wage arrears within the first quarter of 2021.

It alleged that the government had failed to immediately release N70 million as part payment of the first tranche of earned academic allowance arrears.

It noted that as at the time of its congress, the second tranche of N72 million in October, 2021 has been long overdue.

The Union accused the government of failure to complete the payment of mainstreamed earned academic allowances for the 2019/2020, among others.