) The Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in Ondo State has urged the state government to urgently resolve the ongoing industrial action in state-owned universities to prevent further disruption of academic activities.
The DLA State Chairman, Mr Oluwatosin Ayeni, made the plea in a statement on Wednesday in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU); and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on Tuesday commenced strike over welfare.
NAN also reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state-owned universities had two weeks ago declared an indefinite strike over unmet demands.
Ayeni noted that the industrial action had paralysed activities at the three owned universities.
He alleged that the situation was as a result of the state government’s failure to implement the Federal Government/unions’ agreement and the promised 60 per cent increase in subvention to the institutions.
“The welfare of both academic and non-academic staff is not a privilege; it is a fundamental obligation.
“When government chooses to play politics with the livelihoods of those who keep our universities running, the first and most severe casualties are the students.
“These young people are already burdened with high school fees. They did not create this crisis, yet they are the ones being punished by administrative incompetence and broken promises,” he said.
Ayeni said prolonged industrial actions would further weaken educational standards, damage the reputation of the state’s tertiary institutions and negatively affect scores of students.
He called on the state government to engage the unions in meaningful dialogue and ensure the prompt resolution of the issues in dispute to enable students return to the classroom.
“The government should prioritise the full settlement of all legitimate demands of the unions without further delay.
“The Democratic Leadership Alliance stands with the striking workers and the students whose academic future has been disrupted.
“We believe constructive engagement and sincere commitment are necessary to restore normalcy to our tertiary institutions,” he said. (NAN)
