Rita Odafe
The National President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Makolo Hassan, expressed that strikes are the most effective means of communication with the Federal government.
Hassan, during an interview on Channels TV, declared that the union, alongside the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), will proceed with their planned strike action.
He highlighted the challenges of high living costs in the country and mentioned that the unions would reconsider their plans if the government disbursed the four months’ overdue salaries, as other issues are open for negotiation.
Hassan emphasized the impact of a strike on essential services, stating, “Once we go on strike, there will be disruptions in crucial services like electricity and water supply, which we have been trying to avoid. However, it appears that strikes are the most effective way of communicating with the government. Therefore, we will proceed with our protest and evaluate the outcome.”
He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that their members are struggling with hunger and poverty, urging the government to address the outstanding salaries promptly.
Hassan outlined the key issues awaiting resolution, including the disbursement of the approved N50 billion, inconsistencies in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS), and other technical challenges that need attention.
He concluded by stating that if the overdue salaries are paid, the unions would reassess their stance on the other outstanding matters.
