The Kaduna State Government has described the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Kaduna State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as an act of sabotage.
The university lecturers had embarked on strike on Tuesday over some unresolved demands with the government.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Education, Muhammad Sani-Bello, the Government said that the bone of contention between ASUU and the government predated Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
He said that the Sani-led administration has taken steps to address them and other lingering demands concerning Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions in general.
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According to the statement, instead of allowing the process to run its full circle, ASUU has started flexing its muscles in a show of strength that will not only disrupt KASU’s academic calendar but will reverse the gains that have been achieved so far”.
“Specifically, the Association’s disagreement with Kaduna State Government is over non-payment of five months salaries from May to September 2022 and Earned Academic Allowances from 2015 to 2020, among other claims,’’ the statement read.
“These claims pre-date the present administration, but Governor Uba Sani, in his usual empathy, has taken steps to address them and other lingering demands concerning Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions in general.”
The Commissioner disclosed that Governor Sani has agreed to accede to some of ASUU demands and promised to meet with the union members when he returns from his trip, yet the unionists stuck to their guns.’’
“There is a hidden agenda of rolling back the progress that Governor Uba Sani’s administration has made in the education sector in the last 20 months. Indeed, some fifth columnists, hiding under the banner of unionism, are endangering the future of our children,” he added.
“Governor Uba Sani argued that the debt will be paid on an instalment basis until the outstanding liability is redeemed, given the state’s financial constraints,’’ Prof Bello recalled.
