Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has threatened a no-work no-pay policy against striking primary school teachers and the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Benue State University, BSU, chapter.
Primary school teachers in the state had embarked on an industrial action a fortnight ago as part of efforts to press home their demands for improved salaries.
Suswam made the position of the state government known weekend in a funeral oration he delivered at the burial of elder statesman, Nenger Utim at Ugba, headquarters of Logo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the governor, “Primary school teachers and BSU lecturers should return to the classrooms or be prepared to forfeit their salaries for the duration of the strike.
“I am ready to wield the big stick this time and I am prepared for the consequences that may arise from that action.
“They must know that if the strike drags on, I will not pay any of them arrears of salaries for the period they abandoned the classrooms.
“What they are doing is unacceptable and unfair to our people because today no teacher in Benue State earns less than N18,000 as salary and lecturers of BSU are also enjoying their earned allowances.
“What is then the basis of their action and decision to abandon their duty posts when we all know that the state government commenced the payment of the minimum wage to teachers few months ago despite our dwindling income?
“Well, we cannot sit down and watch helplessly while some persons try to frustrate the efforts of government to develop our education sector despite obvious challenges,” Suswan said.
He therefore urged parents, traditional rulers, the clergy as well as other well meaning people of the state to appeal to the striking teachers and university lecturers to return to the classrooms.
The most unworthy gov.he jst talk on social gathering.y not make a press conference n call the nut n Asu to talk.to be sincere,this is the worst Benue has ever produce.oh,what a pity?go n impress GEJ as u always do mr infrastructure.u don’t give a damn on ur ppl.it seems becos of ur contiuned absence from de state,u don’t even no wats going on.ask lawni to give u de koko.yeye gov!
Hmmm so much 4 FG NEEDS chairperson of universities, former leader of FG team wit ASUU… He deployed non indegene teachers in d past… He owes his teachers… His teachers r always on strike… He refuse 2 implement min wage… Yet he was leading FG negotiation wit ASUU, no wonder ASUU walkd out of d dialog… So much 4 his luv 4 education… Mr Senate presido “how competent is he?”… ASUU plz call off dis week…
Asuu are being unfair to themselves,how do you want to be paid when you have not worked. cant asuu utilize the present money been given while expecting the best.
Y not dialogue with the striking teachers and lecturers, and ask them what they want, instead of threatening them with the no -work-no-pay strategy, they are the ones that build up our youth for tomorrow.