By Sunday Iduh
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the Federal Government (FG) to honour the agreement it has entered with Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU).
The governor stated this Tuesday while addressing members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who were on solidarity protest in support of the prolonged ASUU strike at the entrance of the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
Governor Ortom, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor said, “as far as we are concerned, this strike is uncalled for. It is too much. You entered into an agreement with somebody, you have to honour it. The federal government should honour their agreement with ASUU. If you have issues, plead with ASUU or renegotiate and not to force them.”
He appealed to FG to revisit the issue of no work no pay, stating that it does not make sense. “The strike embarked upon by ASUU is not about payment of salaries. ASUU has raised so many issues. Let the federal government address the issues,” he added.
Governor Ortom disclosed that even though Benue State University was on sympathy strike with ASUU, the state government has not stopped the staff salaries.
“We cannot have a situation whereby you shut down our universities, going to six months. This is unacceptable.
The governor commended NLC for embarking on the solidarity protest in support of ASUU. “For five months our children in the universities have been at home, and it seems the federal government is not bothered.
“The Benue State government is fully in support of your actions. Your positions will be communicated to the Federal Government,” he stated.
He urged the NLC to go about all the other activities within the period peacefully.