BSU STRIKE: Benue State University May Not Resume Anytime Soon (SHOCKING DETAILS)

By Ahokegh T Collins

The Academic staff Union of Universities ASUU BSU chapter and its sister Union the Non Academic staff Union of Universities NASUU yesterday turned down the appeal the government of Benue state made calling on them to resume work while their grievances are looked into.

Speaking with some union officials on phone who prefer to remain anonymous explained that they turned down the appeal the government made because they have remained on same spot. 'Government has refused to play blues, what we have heard so far is reggae and that is insensitive on their part'. They said if government was serious with their appeals, they would have shifted grounds, and not just the 'we don't have money' of a statement.

Recall that the committee set up by the Benue State Government to negotiate with the striking unions to resume work had a meeting mid last week and presented the government side which clearly meant that government cannot meet up with their requests at the moment because of paucity of funds. The government however appealed with the both Union officials to resume work while the government fashion out ways to respond to their plights. The Union officials did not hesitate but pleaded to communicate the government appeals to their general Congresses for a collective decision.

It was on this note that the unions had their Congresses yesterday but refused to honour the appeals of government citing obvious reasons ranging from insensitivity, longevity and negligence on the part of government.

At the moment, the Benue populace can only feel pity for the students who will have to be incarcerated longer than imagined as the academic session will surely be reviewed upon resumption. As it stands, no side has presented facts worth overlooking.

I however will advise the striking unions to look at the appeal again and give government an ultimatum to meet up with their demands as they have promised while they call off the strike. Calling off the strike at this stage will be the most important thing to the students who are praying not to be stagnated, the parents and the government who from inception has shown positive signals to prevent the tertiary education from unwarranted industrial actions.