Lecturers at Benue State University have begun an indefinite strike, disrupting academic activities.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch at the institution declared the strike after a meeting, emphasizing that it would be total, indefinite, and comprehensive.
According to the ASUU-BSU Chairman, Comrade Kwaghfan Tarnongo, and Secretary, Terrumun Gajir, the strike stems from the university management’s alleged neglect of their welfare concerns, despite numerous engagements.
They referred to a tripartite agreement reached in January 2023 between the Benue State Government, BSU Administration, and Governing Council, and ASUU-BSU.
The union claimed that the agreement aimed to increase funding to address issues like promotions and annual increments, presenting it as a roadmap to achieving industrial harmony in BSU.
ASUU acknowledged the state government’s commitment to fulfilling its part of the agreement by providing additional funds for promotions, increments, and clearing arrears.
However, the union expressed regret that the university management, having received the extra funds, had not paid the lecturers their entitlements.
The reasons listed for the indefinite strike include the implementation and payment of accrued arrears of 2021, 2022, and 2023 promotions, annual incremental step arrears, April 2023 salary arrears, and shortfalls in the salaries of staff in the College of Health Sciences.
Additionally, ASUU-BSU highlighted issues such as the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, sundry allowances (PG, GST, EPS, SANDWICH, etc.), and the non-enrolment/implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The union expressed disappointment in the lack of success in resolving these issues through dialogue with the BSU administration.
In response to inquiries, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Tse Vanger, confirmed ASUU’s notification of the strike and mentioned that the university’s management was in a meeting at the time of reporting.
