ASUU has not called-off its strike- Awuzie

Following recent reports trailing social media like face book and twitter, that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has called-off its one month old indefinite strike, National President of ASUU, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, yesterday, in a phone interview, completely debunked the reports, saying ASUU has not called-off its strike, as the Union is talking with government.

According to Awuzie: “As the national president of the union, I am suppose to convene a press conference if the union decides to call-off the strike, not those who go about reporting their own ideas and not ours”.

Asked of the current status of ASUU's meetings with government, Awuzie affirmed that negotiations are still going on. “We will only return to classes, when we observe that govt. is showing seriousness and the political will in implementing core areas of our demands.

“ASUU is not happy with the condition in which our students are made to study. If govt. shows its sincerity that it will fully fund education in this country, then, we are ready to return to work, university funding is the major area of our demands”, he enthused.

Also, commenting on the recent industrial strike embarked by Labour Unions in the country, as a result of Federal Government's removal of fuel subsidy, the university don, attributed corruption in government to be the major cause of the recent fuel subsidy saga.

In his words: “FG cannot decide to remove fuel subsidy without tackling the issue of corruption engulfing the country. Why will FG claim we cannot build refineries, when corruption in govt. won't allow monies accrued to building these refineries be seen”.

He added: “Even though, FG wants us all to swallow this bitter pill as it claims, then, palliative measures must be provided by it to cushion the adverse effects of subsidy removal on the poor masses”.