The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Akwa Ibom State has decided to suspend its planned industrial action. This decision was communicated in a statement released by Mr. Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umo Eno, on Wednesday. The union reached this resolution following Governor Eno’s intervention to address some of their concerns.
Udoh highlighted that the governor convened a meeting with various Labour leaders from Akwa Ibom State University at the Government House in Uyo. During this meeting, Governor Eno pledged to settle the 13th-month salary bonus, provide three months of palliative measures, and undertake the construction of key roads within the main campus at Ikot Akpaden, among other commitments.
Governor Eno urged the Labour leaders to collaborate closely with the government to ensure the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Akwa Ibom State. He emphasized the significance of the university as a source of pride for the state and urged its management to utilize internally generated revenue for various projects, assuring timely payment of monthly subventions by the government.
Led by Comrade (Elder) Sunny James and Dr. Inyang Udosen, the Chairpersons of the Nigerian Labour Congress (Akwa Ibom State Chapter) and ASUU AKSU chapter respectively, the ASUU leaders praised the governor for his supportive stance toward labor issues. They expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitments to address their grievances and assured that the planned strike would be called off.
“We appreciate the governor for his labor-friendly approach and his willingness to tackle some of the contentious issues. Consequently, we will no longer proceed with our planned strike,” the statement affirmed.