Simon Lalong, the governor of Plateau State, has faulted the reasons advanced by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to embark on strike in the state-owned university, describing it as ‘unfortunate, incorrect, ridiculous, and uncharitable.’
This follows the indefinite strike embarked on by the university lecturers on January 16.
Bentse Pamson, the chairman of ASUU in the institution, while declaring the strike, had accused the government of its nonchalant attitude, as well abandoning the university without any capital project except the ones being undertaken through TETFUND.
He also accused the government of refusing to reconstitute the governing council after the tenure of the last officials expired, leaving the university without direction.
But Lalong, who spoke in Jos on Saturday, February 6, 2021, described ASUU’s reasons for the strike as trivial and an attempt to ridicule his administration.
The governor, who recalled that Plateau State University was shut down when he came into office in 2015, insisted that he had done a lot to reposition the institution because of his passion for education.
Lalong said, “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.
“Today, the University has blossomed and is fast growing. Not only did we ensure that the first-ever convocation ceremony of the University was held in 2017 but followed up with preparation for the 3rd, 4th & 5th combined convocation ceremony of the University, which was held virtually in August 2020 due to COVID-19.
“Apart from ensuring the accreditation of over 14 courses, three new faculties have been approved, including Law, Health Sciences and Environmental Science, with the fourth, Agriculture soon to be introduced.
He explained that “while the state government continues to approve funds for infrastructural development of the University, including remodelling 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 have successfully lobbied for various gigantic projects being executed by TETFUND.
“That is why I was taken aback when the Academic Staff Union of PLASU claimed that they were going on strike because the State Government does not have any project in the school. This is rather most unfortunate and to say the least incorrect, ridiculous and uncharitable.”
The governor said he had since set up a 7-man committee to interface with ASUU, address their demands, and appeal to them to call off their strike to enable the students to return to school.
