The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Ahmadu Bello University Zaria branch, has staged a peaceful protest in Zaria, Kaduna State over alleged neglect by the government, saying the Federal Government should be held responsible if they embark on strike
The aggrieved lecturers accused the Federal Government of insincerity and neglect, worsening the living and working conditions of academic staff.
While speaking at the protest rally organized by the union on Friday, the branch Chairman, Comrade Haruna Mohammed Jibril said the union’s demands included the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, funding for public University revitalization and payment of outstanding entitlements.
“The Federal Government has refused to renegotiate the ASUU/FGN 2009 agreement 15 years after it was signed.
“It would be recalled that owing to the Union persistent call for the review of the 2009 Agreement among other demands led the Federal Government to set up the Wale Babalakin-led Joint Renegotiation Committee in 2017.
“For irreconcilable reasons, especially due to Wale-Babalakin’s insistence on the re-introduction of the Education Bank which would lead to the introduction of exorbitant tuition fees for students, the process was stalled for over two years.”
ASUU/ABU branch urges the public to hold the federal government responsible if a strike occurs and calls for support from parents, students and stakeholders in their struggle for better university funding and conditions.
The union reiterated it’s demand for the reinstatement of governing councils whose tenures have not yet expired and reconstitution of those whose tenures have lapsed.
According to the ASUU, ABU’s currently grappling with a severe financial challenges exacerbated by underfunding and exorbitant electricity tariffs across the country.
“These tariffs have inflated the University expenses to approximately N10 m per day, placing immense strain on its financial resources.”
Comrade Jibril said this financial burden recently resulted in disruptions to the University’s electricity supply and essential municipal services until immediate interventions were implemented.
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