Lecturers Commence Strike At EBSU

The Ebonyi State University, EBSU, chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Wednesday commenced an indefinite strike action to press home its demand for improved condition of service.
The ASUU regretted that the strike action was the last resort, after several efforts to resolve its payment of the Consolidated Universities Accelerated Salaries Structure, CONUAS, I, II, and III, establishment of pension scheme for EBSU staff, reinstatement of officials who were sacked, dismissed or converted without due process, and release and payment of promotion arrears, among other demands.
Briefing members in Abakaliki campus, ASUU-EBSU chairman, Dr. Emeka Nwakpu said that the issues were not resisted adding that it took several visits by its national officers, including the national President of ASUU, Prof. Ukachukwu Azuzie, who finally gave approval for ASUU-EBSU to embark on the strike.
However, the university authorities through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Larry Uduu said that the strike was ill-conceived and unjustified, noting that it was only a section of ASUU that was bent on disrupting the smooth academic progress of the university, while majority of the members during ASUU congress on January 4, this year, distanced themselves from the strike.
But Dr. Nwakpu, the ASUU-EBSU boss, said that 12 years after, the university was established by a Bill, which he said was hurriedly prepared and has now gone out of tune with conventional university standards.
He said the council and state administration were yet to expedite action on its review, while the delay was now being hinged on the death of the Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Emmanuel Isu.