Varsity, ASUU On War Path

Crisis of confidence is now brewing between the authorities of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), EBSU chapter over strike threat.

Briefing newsmen on the crisis, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Francis Idike threatened to shut down all academic activities in the university should ASUU insist on its earlier announced indefinite industrial action.

He stated that the university management had resolved that when lectures commence on January 28, 2010 and lecturers refuse to teach, the management would be forced to take drastic decisions.

The vice-chancellor disclosed that prior to the proposed strike by ASUU, some of the issues agitating their minds were extensively addressed during a meeting between the governing council and members of the union held at the university on December 29, 2009.

Commenting on the revised University Bill, Prof Idike said the council set up a committee with membership of the union’s representatives, adding that the committee had completed its work and sent to the council for onward conveyance to the visitors of the university.    

According to him, it was expected that the visitor would present same to the State Assembly for debate and passage before it is signed into law.

He regretted that the sudden death of the council chairman had contributed to the delay in presenting the bill to the visitor, adding that the council and management would ensure that the bill was moved to the visitor and continue to monitor same until it was moved to the state Assembly.

The vice-chancellor also acknowledged receipt of the report of ASUU committee on terminated staff pointing out that management in its decision requested ASUU to be patient since it must obtain all necessary relevant information and details on each case as complied and acted upon by the previous management.

It was understood that the ASUU, EBSU chapter on January 4, 2010, declared an indefinite strike action to press home some of their demands.

However, another group led by Dr. Francis Okpala in a meeting with some congress members set aside the strike threat.

It was gathered that the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU has backed the strike action.