The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday said the union was working to proffer solution to the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The NLC President, Mr Abdulwaheed Omar, told newsmen after a courtesy visit to Gov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State that the union was in Kaduna for a crucial NEC meeting to address some of the issues.
ASUU had been on strike for four months due to alleged non-implementation of some aspects of its agreement with the Federal Government.
“We have also discussed extensively yesterday and we are going to continue today.
“I assure you that we will come out with a communiqué in which ASUU matter is going to be part of it.
“Beyond that we are also making consultations with ASUU and government officials, particularly the Vice President, who is now handling the issue with the view to making sure that this issue is resolved as soon as possible.
“It has been unfortunate, but there are so many things people have even been misinformed, but we are particularly worried now with the lingering strike.
“Let us look at the issue, what are the challenges and come up with some kind of template on how to go about resolving or implementing these things,” he said.
During the courtesy call, Omar appealed to the Kaduna state government to allocate land for the union to establish its Harmattan school, which he said was similar to the Rain school in Cross River state.
He said that the school would enable the union improve on its service delivery to workers.
Responding, Gov. Yero appealed to striking university lecturers to resume academic activities, saying that the strike had affected students and the nation at large.
“ASUU should look at the future of this children and whatever grievances they have, they can still continue to dialogue with the federal government, call off the strike and commence academic activities,” he said.
Yero assured the union that the state government would provide land for its proposed Harmatan school in the state, as well as continue to improve on workers welfare.
The governor, however, urged the NLC to task its members on improved and more efficient service delivery to enable the state forge ahead and ensure development.
The NEC meeting had more than 300 members from across the country in attendance.
Also at the meeting were the leadership of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, who were invited to interact with the union on the union’s proposal to provide mass housing to workers.
