ASUU Declares Total, Indefinite Strike In Taraba

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University chapter has declared a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action.

This follows permission by the ASUU national to the state branch to embark on the strike action to press home its demands and the state government’s rebuttal of claims that it is not owing workers’ salaries.

Arising from a congress meeting, the union insists that the rationale behind their action is hinged on the government’s failure to pay earned academic allowances, promotion arrears, fractional payment of salaries to staff as well as unsettled staff pension and gratuity scheme.

Mr Samuel Shitaa, the Taraba State University ASUU Chairman, noted that other reasons for the industrial action include the non-implementation of agreements and perimeter fencing of the institution.

Reacting to the strike action, the state government through the Commissioner for Tertiary education Edward Baraya in a telephone interview said the union has not communicated their action to the state government.

He wondered why ASUU would take such a decision when the present government is doing everything possible to address the issues before leaving office.

Also reacting, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity Bala Dan-Abu in a press statement said the outgoing governor is owing no worker salaries.