Tertiary institutions begin indefinite strike in Nasarawa

State-owned tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State have embarked on an indefinite strike, citing government’s refusal to address welfare-related issues.
Institutions involved in the action included the College of Education, Akwanga; College of Agriculture, Lafia; and the Nasarawa State, Polytechnic, Lafia.
The workers, under the aegis of the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia that they had exhausted avenues toward an amicable resolution of the dispute and were left with no alternative.
According to Samuel Bashayi, chairman of the state’s chapter of JUTI, the workers resolved to shut down the institutions at a meeting held at the State Polytechnic, Lafia on April 4.
He said the state government had been “very insensitive” to the plight of the workers and had equally failed to address issues impeding effective service delivery.
Bashayi said: “The government has also failed to implement agreements reached between the workers and the government, through the Governing Councils of the institutions.”
He regretted that the union’s repeated notices were ignored, and listed key areas of concern to include promotion, annual increment, arrears, among others.
He said: “Instead of paying our allowances, government has chosen to dare us by removing even the allowances we used to take for granted.”
Bashayi advised workers to remain at home and await further directives.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria, who went round the three affected institutions, met the gates locked in full compliance.
NAN.