Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has slammed the reasons given by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to embark on strike in the state-owned University.
Lalong, who spoke in Jos on Saturday, said ASUU’s reasons for the strike were trivial and an attempt to ridicule his administration, describing it as incorrect, ridiculous, and uncharitable.
Recall that the Chairman of ASUU in the institution, Dr. Bentse Pamson, while declaring the indefinite strike last month, had accused the government of its nonchalant attitude and abandoning the state’s University without any capital project apart from the ones being undertaken through TETFUND.
According to Lalong, “When I came into office as Governor, the Plateau State University, Bokkos was virtually shut down and in comatose.
“Because of my passion for education and the fact that I was instrumental in passing the bill that established it while I was Speaker, we moved quickly to remove all barriers to ensure that the school reopens.
“While the state government continues to approve funds for infrastructural development of the University, including remodeling of the multi-purpose hall to serve as Law Auditorium as well as the construction of Teaching Hospital for the new faculty of health sciences in Shendam, we’ve successfully lobbied for various gigantic projects being executed by TETFUND.
“That’s why I was taken aback when the Academic Staff Union of PLASU claimed that they were going on strike because the State Government doesn’t have any project in the school. This’s rather most unfortunate and to say the least incorrect, ridiculous and uncharitable.”
Leong said he had since set up a 7-man committee to appeal to ASUU to call off their strike to allow students to return to school.
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