Logpobiri Anaiya
Joint action committee (JAC) comprising of NASU,SSANU and NAAT branches in Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa Uniersity (ATBU) Bauchi has indefinitely shut-down the institution gate demanding the immediate payment of their heard earn allowances.
The Union leaders and their members were at the gate at 7.30 am apparently to monitor the full scale compliance of the strike action. The development had caused serious gridlock among motorist plying Yelwa axis thereby forcing okada riders to opt for an alternative roads.
The stern looking Union members were checking motorist on entry to the University in company of the institution security pose to checkmate erring members who may not comply with the strike action embark upon by the JAC.
Chairman of the Union Mr. Austine Jaji had in a chat with newsmen said; their action to embark on the strike is to press home their demand for the non-payment of heard earn allowances of the Union members.
He added that there was an agreement reach between the Union, government council of the University as well as the management to effect the payment after the registration of students which it is expected that, funds will be available, but to their dismay, the management appears adamant and without convincing reason to address the situation.
Other reasons, according to Jaji is the issue of the University staff school, up-grading of the staff clinic which he describe as inhabitable in comparison with health centres urging the management to address same.
“Our demands is now only narrowed to the non-payment of staff allowance, but we are trying to ensure quality education to ensure that we over-come the challenges in the 21st century” said Jaji.
Reacting to the development, the information officer of the university, Zailani Bappa had said, the Unions and the management are still in a meeting to ensure the misunderstanding is address saying there is no rancor between the two parties.
Bappa added that what the Unions are demanding is too early as Federal government has not provide funds for the purpose and urge them to sheath their sword.
He stress that their claim to enjoy the allowance after students registration does not hold water as only what the students are paid is being used for their transportation to and fro within the two campuses talk less of addressing other important issues in the University.
He therefore urge them to be good ambassadors of the institutions as the management is ready to pay their entitlement whenever the funds are available.
