FG committed to implementing agreement with ASUU, says Wogu

Port Harcourt –  The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday declared a week-long warning strike to protest against the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement between the union and the Federal Government.

The branch chairman of  ASUU at the  Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Dr Felix Igwe, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the strike would halt academic activities in the universities.

The Federal Government had in 2009 reached an agreement with ASUU, which the union claimed that some state governments had refused to implement.

He said the union after a meeting  of its National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to embark on the one week warning strike, billed to commence on Sept. 25.

“ASUU will embark on a one week warning strike starting from midnight of Sept. 25,2011 to protest the lack of commitment on the full implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement in the nation’s universities,” he said.

He said the industrial strike action would be total in all ASUU branches, including RSUST.

FG committed to implementing agreement with ASUU, says Wogu

In Abuja the Federal Government has assured the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of its commitment to  the implementation of  the agreement reached with the union.

A  statement issued  by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Assistant Director of  Press, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, stated this  on Thursday in Abuja.

It  quoted the labour minister, Chief Emeka Wogu,  as giving the assurance at a meeting with the National President of ASUU, Prof.  Ukahchukwu Awuzie.

Also present at the meeting were  the Minister of  Education, Prof. Ruqqayattu Rufai and the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyeson Wike.

“This administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to implementing agreements reached with the union,’’ he said.

Wogu urged the union  to suspend its  planned industrial action in order  to enable a proper briefing of the president.

ASUU  had earlier issued a one-week warning strike notice starting on Sept. 26 over the failure to implement the agreement reached in 2009.

The union, however,  resolved that the agreement reached should involve  the Ministry of  Finance, Budget Office and Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

It also resolved that the committee set up on implementation should  develop strategies and time lines to facilitate implementation.

The union further resolved that the committee should  conclude discussions on the implementation of the agreement for presentation by Nov. 22.  (NAN)