BSU STRIKE LATEST: 2017 BENUE STRIKE STRIKE HAS BEEN CALLED OFF

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Benue State University has announced that the school will open on Monday, 24th July 2017 following the suspension of a three months strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and other staff unions.

In a statement released today by the acting registrar, Mrs Catherine Bur said all categories of students were advised to resume on that day for continuation of the first semester of the 2016/2017 academic session.


















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The ongoing industrial action embarked by the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) Benue State University, Makurdi chapter would
continue.

It would be recalled that after blasting ASUU before students of the
university who had marched to government house to demand explanations
on why they should remain at home, Governor Samuel Ortom assured the
students that today's(Friday) meeting would surely end the strike
action.

However information available to our medium indicate that after a
prolong meeting between the union and Benue state government official
delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof.
Tony Ijohor today, the union insisted they can no longer trust
promises from a government that once reneged on an agreement that was
done in confidence and respect.

The current industry action is already about 3 months. But the
Governor and his officials have refused to addressing the issues
directly but consistently keep blaming the past administration as well
as singling out some lecturers in the institution for blackmail as the
ones promoting and sustaining the industrial dispute in the state.

The union clearly stated that, "ASUU BSU is on strike to press for the
following issues:

1. Domestication of NHIS so that staff can benefit from quality
healthcare services even when they do not have enough money at hand.
2. Contributory pension scheme so that upon retirement, staff have
something to fall back at.
3. Review of relevant BSU laws to things in correct and clearer perspectives.
4. Accumulated leave days which staff have neither enjoyed nor monitised.
5. Obnoxious tax deductions as PAYE which is higher than any other
university nationwide.
6. Payment of accumulated earned academic allowance, arrears of which
have accumulated for 56 months.

"In response to all these issues, Government, following negotiations
has directed BSU management to work out ways of solving numbers 1
through 5, which in principles we have accepted but rejected the
proposal that only 2 months arrears of EAA would be paid while the
rest will come as funds become available.

"Though it may appear that Govt has tried by addressing 5 out of 6, it
is only in principle since this same Govt entered into an agreement to
pay arrears of EAA in in six tranches in 2015 but reneged 2 years
after without apology or at least an explanation in writing.

"ASUU has shown enough magnanimity by accepting those proposal in the
interest of the students and of the system but insists that AT LEAST
ONE TRANCHE OF EAA MUST BE PAID?"

From Eaglenews, Makurdi (30/06/17)