Strike in research institutes: NASU expresses shock at FG’s insensitivity

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has expressed shock at the insensitivity of the Federal Government over the on-going strike at 63 research institutes across the country.

Rising from an emergency meeting of the Research and Projects Trade Group Council of NASU, held at the Top Rank Hotel in Abuja, the union said it was shocking and disbelieving that the Federal Government can remain unconcerned and be so insensitive to the situation, whereby 63 research institutes are on strike for over two months.

In a resolution adopted after the meeting held at the weekend, the union “The Council-in-Session expressed shock and disbelief that the Federal Government can remain unconcerned and be so insensitive to a situation where all the Research Institutes in Nigeria as listed below have been totally and completely paralysed for about two months and 10 days without addressing the situation.

“This attitude of government is a confirmation of the fact that the Government does not believe in the popular saying that our country can attain technological development in a few years’ time. Side by side is the fact that the attitude of the Federal Government has further confirmed that our government is paying lip service to research and technological development.”

The resolution signed by Comrade Wakili Tijani, the Deputy President/Chairman Research & Projects Trade Group Council and Comrade Emma Okonkwor, the Senior Deputy General Secretary, said the strike would continue until the government meet their demands.

“The Council-in-Session finally resolved that the strike must continue; it must be total and comprehensive as no concession of any sort shall be granted to managements and government until outstanding issues are positively addressed,” the resolution said.

The council commended all the branches in the trade group for diligently prosecuting the JORIASU strike from Tuesday, November 14, 2017 up to this moment; while it observed that the activities in the Research Institutes have been completely paralysed.

The council noted the efforts of the National leadership of Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU) and all its efforts to get the Federal Government to act positively on its demands and commended the JORAISU leadership for its forthrightness and steadfastness.