By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The House of Representatives have waded into the eight months ‘ salary arrears of the university lecturers which resulted from the no work no pay rule of the Federal Government over the 2022 strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASSU).
The House in response to a motion sponsored by four members. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Professor Lilian Orogbu and Dr Aminu Sani Jaji mandated it’s committees on University Education, FInance, Appropriation, Labour and Legislative Compliance to interact with the leadership of ASSUb and Federal Government on the matter.
The committees are to report back to the House on the progress made within two weeks for further legislative actions on the motion titled, ‘UGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE UNTOLD HARDSHIP BEING EXPERIENCED BY ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES, (ASSU).
Earlier in his lead debate, Professor Nnamchi described university lecturers as vital contributors to the success of university education system stressing that they provide valuable knowledge, guidance and mentorship to the future leaders of the country.
He noted that the lecturers in 2022 went on eight months strike because of the failure of the Federal Government to honour the previous agreements entered into with ASSU.
Professor Nnamchi who presented the motion at plenary on behalf of his co-sponsors further stressed that it was regrettable that the government withheld the lecturers’ eight months salaries for participating in the strike action.
He cited section 17 of the 1999 constitution as amended to buttress the lecturers’ right to express their grievances through peaceful protest adding that in furtherance to social order, government’s action should be humane and in consonance with section 17(1) and subsection (2) (c) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The lawmaker also observed that eight months salary arrears owed the lecturers were huge enough to impact negatively on their moral, job satisfaction and their ability to carry out teaching responsibilities which would no doubt affect the quality of knowledge imparted on the students.
He appealed to his colleagues to vote in favour of the motion noting that, ‘resolving this issue is essential for our universities’ general stability and excellence as well as the welfare of our educators and the nation’s economy.
