The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday appealed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to promptly resolve the crisis that led to the closure of the jointly owned Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
This followed an appeal made by Mr Olusegun Ajanaku (APC-Ibadan South-West II).
Ajanaku, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Parliamentary Matters, said that there was need to find an immediate solution to the issue of non payment of workers’ salaries in the institution.
While expressing his displeasure on how the crisis had grounded academic activities in the institution, he said that the well being of the workers had also been affected.
“As stakeholders and as concerned citizens of this state, we cannot overlook the challenge posed by the closure of this school; it has left parents and students distraught.
“While a lasting solution to this crisis should be considered, there is, however, a need to give a short term solution that will guarantee the reopening of the school within the month,” he said.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Mr Michael Adeyemo (APC-Ibarapa- East) called on the two governors to engage in dialogue with the workers in the interest of the students.
He said the crisis, which culminated in the closure of the school since June 13, had taken its toll on the students because of the extended time spent out of school.
LAUTECH had been shut since June 13 following protests by students.
The students had protested over the refusal by the Academic Staff Union of the University to submit examinations question papers unless members were paid their outstanding salaries and other allowances.
Meanwhile, the bill for a law to amend the LAUTECH Law 1990 was passed to the House Committee on Education after scaling the second reading stage.
In his explanation on the bill, Mr Solomon Akande (LP-Ogbomoso-South) said that if passed into law, it would provide for residential facilities within the institution.
