JUNSTI Is As Old As Nasarawa State, Leadership Fires Back To State Govt

Rabiu Omaku

 

The leadership of Joint Union of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions has responded to the Government of Nasarawa State that JUNSTI as a Union is in existence and as old as Nasarawa State.

 

Useni Paul Fatiyi, the Chairman of the Union hinted this during a press briefing while reacting over the pronouncement by key government functionaries that the Joint Union is an illegal body.

 

It could be recalled that the State Deputy governor, Silas Agara, the Commissioner For Higher Education separately denounced the Union.

 

Paul who double as the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia while briefing Journalists urged the State government to do the needful by looking inward on how to addressing the impasses not aggravating the ongoing strike action.

 

The Union called on its members to ignore the threat by the State government to foist the striking lecturers to sign attendance register which was slated for April 8, 2019.

 

Speaking to Journalists at the end of its Congress held on April 6,2019 at the Union’s Secretariat at College of Agriculture, Lafia.

 

He listed some of the grievances of the striking lecturers to includes

 

Lack of full implementation of government white paper which he said should have addressed the issues of inadequate staff, infrastructures in the affected institutions.

 

Non implementation of promotions and annual increments since 2015 to date and non-payment of promotion arrears for 2014.

 

Non implementation of 65 years of retirement for non-academic staff.

 

Nonpayment of gratuity and pension arrears to our retired members.

 

“Since the beginning of this strike action, all efforts to meet with His Excellency, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura or his accredited representatives have not been possible”.

 

Urging the various Governing Councils of the three affected Tertiary Institutions comprises of College of Education, Akwanga, College of Agriculture, Lafia and the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia to source for money from the colossal amount generated from the Internally Generated Revenue.

 

“We are aware of the hike in school fees,lack of infrastructure and shortage of lecture halls”.

 

Paul attributed the hands in glove of the State government to wade into the impasse to the negative attitude of the Governing Councils and Management of the three Tertiary Institutions towards addressing their demands as highly disappointing and unbecoming of Officers of their caliber.

 

“On the issue of JUNSTI ,the then governor, Aliyu Akwe Doma had a discussion with them and how can they said our Union is illegal Union”.

 

“We observed with dismay the attitude of the Councils and Management of these Institutions by colluding with the Honorable Commissioners of Higher Education, Commissioner of Education for deploying security operatives to attack our law abiding members.

 

“We appreciate your support and hereby enjoined our members to continue to remain resolute and stay at home until further notice.