Gombe begs ASUU over strike plans  as council sets to approve N947.6 million for EAA Monday

The Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, on Thursday pleaded with Academic Staff Union of Universities Gombe State University branch to shelve plans to proceed on strike, offering Monday for State Executive Council to approve its Earned Academic Allowance and other arrears.

Yahaya who was represented by the Secretary to Government of the State Professor Ibrahim Njodi, made this plea while playing host to a delegation of ASUU National Executive Council visitation panel to GSU.

Our correspondent reports that government promised to meet Earned Academic Allowance demands and others with N947,669,909.13  million by Monday.

According to the governor, once the council meets by Monday the issue of strike would be part of  issues to be tackled and given the expedited attention, adding that after the specified of nothing happens the union could proceed on its plans.

Yahaya said, “By Monday upon State Executive Council’s meeting N947,669,909.13  million will be approved to take care of Earned Academic Allowance; excess workload, responsibility allowances, postgraduates study grant as well as outstanding promotion arrears for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“What I’m saying is that ASUU should be patient the question of going on strike now like the Convener pointed out is not going to solve any problem. If you go on strike tomorrow if by chance we say take will you come back but you have declared strike for one day does it make any sense? Since you have been able to wait all these while just wait let see what what’s that my plea.”

Speaking earlier, Professor Daniel Gongula, who led the NEC visitation lauded the governor for prioritising education, while harping on timeline of government promises.

Gongula said, “We will submit our report to ASUU principal officers we need to be convinced. Usually as they say there is a document we normally get, government making commitment we are going to do this.  If it was negotiation it would have been resolution but since we are not negotiating we just came to cry to you and you listened and said this is what government is going to do.”

He noted that other states had proceeded with implementation of minimum wage without recourse to National Minimum Wage table, adding that lecturers including other workers use the same market.