By Isreal Joel
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNIJOS chapter has berated the Federal Government for what it described as the insensitivity to fulfill the promises it made with the union.

A statement signed by Dr. Lazarus Maigoro, the chairman of the Union, and made available to newsmen in Jos on Friday reads that “We have engaged government over all these issues over the years, and promises were made to the effect that they will be implemented.”

“We are tired of their deceit and it’s time for us to act,”.

The body further added that ” We want to inform Nigerians, that we are tired of fruitless meetings with the Minister of Labour, NUC Executive Secretary, Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NITDA and the Chief of Staff to the President. If they ever want us to listen to them, they should first of all act on the promises they have already made.

All these meetings have not calmed our members as the following issues still remain unresolved, the Conclusion and signing of the re-negotiated 2009 agreement.

The recent comments by the spokesman to the President, Mr. Femi Adeshina that government will keep to the promises, rings very hollow to us. the union is still waiting for the promises to be kept.

The government’s pattern of response to the issues is that of a serial promise-breaker. Like an unfaithful spouse, they are unable to match their words with action which is affecting the education sector negatively. ”

The statement reads in parts “Our union states very clearly that we appreciate the interest
demonstrated by the Nigerian Inter-religion Council (NIREC) with a view to resolving the current impasse.”

“However, it is not rational to continue to return to the same physician for the cure of an ailment iatrogenically introduced by him or one in which he has failed to cure or bring relief to his patient.

“From historical experience, we can conclude that NIRECs efforts with agents of government will be more prone to bringing further pain and anguish to the system. ”

“This will surely be the case if NIREC’s intervention ends with a palliative solution.”

It is a shame that they continue to defend IPPIS, a policy that has been thrashed by an independent office of government, the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The body commended the Auditor-General of the Federation for reporting the sleaze and fraud called IPPIS.

“It is a shame for our leaders who have failed woefully in managing our foreign exchange, rather blaming it on our dependence on foreign goods and services, they continue to spend scarce foreign exchange in paying themselves and their foreign collaborators in the name of IPPIS.

“We want Nigerians to know that we are no longer interested in the promises of an unfaithful philandering spouse. In the meantime, we are resolved to proceed on an indefinite and comprehensive strike until fidelity
returns to our relationship with the government and our demands are met.

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“As a body, We are tired of the back and forth, this Brownian motion must stop, We are determined to end the dubious pronouncements by a government claiming commitment to sound University education and fidelity to the collective agreement.”

The statement further added that trust has been destroyed by the government and It is up to them to retrieve it to avert any strike.