By Tunde Johnson, Abuja
The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) branch of the Joint Action Committee comprising Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) have suspended the four month-old strike they embarked upon.
The decision to suspend the strike was taken at the end of their congress meeting in Abuja.
Recall that the unions downed tools four month ago on December 4, 2017 over Federal Government’s failure to pay their earned allowances.
Hassan Shallangwa, Chairman of SSANU, UniAbuja who addressed newsmen on behalf of other unions, said there were positive signs from the government, adding that the posture might eventually lead to the final negotiated resolution of the issues that led to the action in the first place; hence the decision to suspend strike.
Shallangwa disclosed that there are negotiations with the federal government, adding that it has been intensified by the government.
He said that all hands are currently on deck and that effort to see that everything is being settled is on.
According to him, “So far, there is a good negotiation that has been taking place. It has been intensified by the government; that is why they have been making effort to see that everything is being settled.
‘’I assure all of you that we have fought the good fight; our effort will not be in vain; you will see our effort very soon by the special grace of God.
“ In view of that, the happenings in our campus which we all testify, our children have been suffering since they resumed this session; you can see that most of the things in the university have totally collapsed.
‘’ Based on the meetings held on March 6 and March 8, we were meant to understand that government are to release the sum of N8billion to JAC, including some academic staff of University of Ilorin (UniIlorin) and University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN).
“The strike is hereby suspended to allow for full resolution of the matter.’’
