Rochas Okorocha
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has accused striking teachers and workers of the Imo State University, Owerri, of working against the success of the state’s free education policy.
The governor made the accusation in Owerri, at the weekend in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo.The statement decried the two-month old strike, and their negation of 70 percent and 30 percent respectively, which was the sharing formula agreement reached between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the state.
The Guardian gathered that the varsity workers kicked against receiving less than what was stated in the agreement,But the governor claimed that unlike other institutions, the Imo varsity’s structure is such that it is able to generates enough revenue to pay its workers.
Notwithstanding, the governor appealed to ASUU to call off the strike in the overall interest of the students in particular and the society at large.
Okorocha expressed worries that the varsity workers would go on strike over outstanding April salaries, at a time most universities across the nation, are being owed between four to six months.
According to the statement, “It has become increasingly necessary to let the good people of the state and indeed, the general public know, that despite repeated appeals by the governor, those against the free education programme in the state, have ensured that the patriotic appeals are not given the expected consideration.”
It also condemned the claim by ASUU that it was no longer part of the NLC, which entered into agreement with the state government The government fingered enemies of free education as being behind the strike action.
According to Okorocha, under his administration, the monthly subvention was increased from N57 million to N297 million, stressing: “It is equally on record that before now the monthly subvention to the varsity was N57, which the governor increased to N297million.
The governor accused the school of non-disclosure of its internally generated revenues, even when they generate revenue from other sources including postgraduate programmes.However, Chairman of the institution’s ASUU, Dr Chidi Nwadiaru, could not be reached for comments.
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