ASUU-BSU Dig In Heels, Resumes Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities at Benue State University (ASUU-BSU) resumed its strike, citing unresolved issues with the university’s management under Vice Chancellor Prof. Tor Iorapuu’s leadership.

The strike, previously halted in June 2023, has been reinstated with approval from ASUU National. Grievances include non-implementation and non-payment of promotions’ arrears from 2021 to 2023, outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), and various allowances such as those for postgraduate studies and teaching programs.

Other concerns involve unsettled annual incremental step arrears, salary arrears for April 2023, salary discrepancies in the College of Health Sciences, and failure to enrol staff in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

While the Benue State Government has addressed some issues, ASUU-BSU is “dissatisfied” with the university management’s inaction. The strike, initially suspended on June 26, 2023, will continue until satisfactory resolutions are achieved.

The union’s six-point press release, signed by Chairperson Comrade Kwaghfan Tarnongo and Secretary Terrumun Gajir, outlines these grievances and the decision to reinstate the strike, emphasising the need for action to address their concerns.

It was stated, “The permission to proceed on this strike was formally communicated to members of the Branch on Thursday 1st February, 2024 on the floor of an emergency Congress held at the Arts Theatre Complex. The strike action is Total, Indefinite and Comprehensive until all the demands of the Branch are satisfactorily addressed by the Benue State University (BSU) Administration.”

Further, it was reported by the independent Newspaper , the ongoing issue regarding the welfare concerns of the Union of the Benue State University, Makurdi has persisted despite multiple attempts to address it by the administration. One significant instance was a tripartite agreement made in January 2023 involving the Benue State Government, BSU Administration and Governing Council, and ASUU-BSU, which has failed to resolve the matter.

The agreement, which outlined enhanced funding for the university to tackle promotion and annual increment issues, was seen as a pathway to achieving industrial harmony at the University. The Benue State Government deserves acknowledgment for fulfilling its obligations under the agreement by consistently providing additional funds to the university specifically designated for implementing promotions and annual increments, as well as settling the accrued arrears.

ASUU-BSU, however said that “Regrettably, the same cannot be said of the BSU Administration, while the University has religiously collected additional funds from government, but has refused to pay the staff their entitlements. This breach of the January 2023 agreement by the BSU Administration led to the May 2023 strike by the Branch. “ASUU-BSU graciously suspended this strike on the 26th June, 2023, following assurances by the BSU Administration to adhere to the January 2023, agreement.”

However, the academic union at Benue State University (ASUU-BSU) is letting everyone know that they’re still on strike. They tried talking things out with the university administration, but it hasn’t worked so far. They are asking students, the local community, and anyone else who cares about BSU to put pressure on the administration and government to fix the problems complaint about.