Commissioner For Higher Education Insists On Attendance Register For Striking JUNST, Declares Union Illegal
Rabiu Omaku
Nasarawa State government has directed Heads of the three striking Tertiary Institutions to resume academic activities with effect from April 12,2019.
The Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Clement Uhembe stated this shortly after a meeting with the management and Chairmen Governing Councils of Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia,College of Education, Akwanga and College of Agriculture, Lafia.
The management of the three Tertiary Institutions has been directed to recall students to campus for full academic activities.
He added that attendance register would be followed strictly and can be used as a yardstick for payment of salary.
He buttressed that the State government declared the Joint Union of Nasarawa Tertiary Institutions because it is not a registered Union, describing JUNSTI as an illegal Union.
Dr Uhembe further declared the strike as illegal strike,stating that the State government has directed the Heads of the three Tertiary Institutions to promptly compile the financial implication and submit same to Government.
The Commissioner averred that the State government is considering the issues affecting the three Tertiary Institutions as part of it’s responsibilities, particularly the issues of promotion, annual increments, pension and gratuities.
Paul Useni , the Chairman of JUNSTI in his reaction berate the State government for deviating in discharging it responsibility instead of causing friction in the Union.
He called on the Union members to stay at home until further notice.
“Though we have a congress by tomorrow, only that would decide our position”.
“There is no need for some of our members calling themselves concerned members instead those aggrieved members should fall back to the congress but not to be sell out lobbying for juicy positions”.
Paul Useni says only genuine negotiation would end the strike,it could be recalled that the JUNSTI has embarked on a strike on March 12,2019.
