Despite Industrial Court order earlier today restraining all labour unions from embarking on the planned strike in protest of sudden hike in petroleum products by the Federal Government, the Academics Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has commenced massive mobilisation of it members to down-tool in compliance with earlier directive by factional Nigeria Labour Congress led by Ayuba Wabba, NLC; Trade Union Congress, TUC and other affiliates labour associations.
National President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, in a letter despatched to members of the congress nationwide and read at the University of Ibadan Chapter on Tuesday where the Chairman of the chapter, Dr Deji Omole addressed members; said that the chapter was ready for mass resistance to what he called obnoxious and callous policy of fuel price increment.
In the letter tittled ‘Increase in Pump price of Premium Motor Spirit to N145 per litre: Proposal for Joint Action with NLC’ stated that “ASUU members are called upon to according to our Union's principles, fully respect Article 2 of the Constitution of ASUU; that our Union and members shall work for the protection and advancement of the socio-economic interests of the nation. Branch Chairpersons are to conduct emergency congress meetings on Tuesday 17 May 2016 to mobilise our members for the action commencing on Wednesday. All branches of ASUU nationwide are to comply.”
Ogunyemi anchored the position on "delayed, partially paid and in most cases unpaid salaries for a number of months by state, federal and local governments, disguised retrenchment of workers, especially by State Governments, in the name of verification exercise and endless hunt for ghost workers and heavy taxation"
The UI ASUU boss, Dr. Omole, has described the policy of subsidy removal as the most criminal ambush from the Mohammadu Buhari-led federal government to empower the rich and cripple the poor.
The ASUU Chair who said that the common denominator to all Nigerians is poverty lamented that the same APC government that failed to pay civil servants for months is now celebrating budget signing with the legalization of black market.
While noting that many state governors who now align with the removal of subsidy ran their states aground through wasteful spending, the ASUU boss called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam search lights on state governors.
Excerpts from Daily Trust