The University of Abuja branch of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) has suspended its participation in the 4-month old national industrial action embarked upon since December 4th, 2017.
The JAC comprises of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
Addressing newsmen at the end of their congress meeting in Abuja, the Chairman of the varsity’s branch of SSANU, Malam Hassan Shallangwa noted there were positive signs from the government which might eventually lead to the final negotiated resolution of the issues that led to the action in the first place, hence the resolution of the branch to suspend their action.
He said “the strike has lingered for too long but by the grace of God, we have come to the end of the road. So far, there is a good negotiation that has been taking place. It has been intensified by the government; that is why they have been making effort to see that everything is settled."
“I assure all of you that we have fought the good fight. Our effort will not be in vain. You will see our effort very soon by the special grace of God. In view of that, the happenings in our campus which we all testify, our children have been suffering since they resumed this session. You can see that most of the things in the university have totally collapsed."
“So in view of that and with the recent development with the federal government based on the meetings held on March 6 and 8, we were meant to understand that government are to release the sum of N8billion for JAC, including Universities of Ilorin and Nsukka."
“In view of this, we briefed our members that we have fought a good fight and didn’t just go back like that but with this development, we have to put our heads together and take a stand."
“The strike which started on Dec.4, 2018, is eventually suspended effective today to allow for full resolution of the matter. The last time we went for meeting at the national level, we were not recognized, but now we are fully recognized”.
Recall that the agreement which led to the suspension of the strike was signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah; President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Samson Ugokwe; President of the National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT), Sani Suleiman and General Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Peters Adeyemi.
It will be recalled that the workers embarked on indefinite strike on December 4, 2017 as a result of failure of government to implement some of the contents of the agreement of September 20, 2017 with JAC.
A copy of the agreement stated “Government is to source for N8billion within five weeks to pay JAC of SSANU, NAAT and NASU members and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), who did not get paid in the last disbursement exercise.”