The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if within seven days the Federal Government fails to pay its two months salaries arrears even as Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) swear to continue with the on-going strike.
The Association in a communiqué issued at the end of its NEC meeting at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
Rising from a one day meeting of the national executive council of the National Association of Academic Technologists, (NAAT), at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, members resolved that Government must pay the two months salaries of August and September this year for peace to reign.
In a communiqué read by the President of the Association, Sani Suleiman, it was resolved that the next option if the Federal Government fails to pay within seven days is to embark on a nationwide strike.
The NEC further resolved to see there is need for the Federal Government to increase her funding of capital projects that needs assessment report and earned allowances to Universities.
Underscoring the importance of education, the NAAT President, observed that education in Nigeria is at the verge of collapse due to government's insensitivity to the sector.
The five-point communiqué also condemned the incessant killings and kidnappings in the country and urged the Federal Government to step up security for security of lives and property.
In a related development, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Calabar zone, has said that since the Federal Government has been insensitive to the plight of the Universities and lecturers in the country, the Union will continue with the industrial action.
The Chairman of ASUU in the zone, Charles Ononuju, and the Chairman of ASUU, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Uzochukwu Onyebinama said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the strike is not political, adding that the Federal Government has failed to implement even the simplest part of the agreement which does not require finance.
The current situation of things in the Nigerian universities has taken a new and worrisome trend that requires urgent attention for the good of the students who are idle at home since the commencement of the strike.
Source: NAAT threatens to embark on strike. (http://fmi.gov.ng/latest/31565/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=naat-threatens-to-embark-on-strike)
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
I don't think anyone is scared of strike anymore because it's something so many Nigerians are already used to!